Unit name | Neurodegeneration: Symptoms, molecular mechanisms and therapies |
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Unit code | MEDIM0014 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
Unit director | Dr. Allen-Birt |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | Bristol Medical School |
Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
This unit covers an in depth understanding of neuropathology, symptoms and possible treatments of selected neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. Alongside this, there is a comparison of pathology, symptoms and underlying mechanisms involved in these separate diseases in order to find unifying theories of disease.
The Aim of this Unit is to:
Provide a basic understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of certain neurodegenerative processes, and to use this to explain similarities and differences between the associated neurodegenerative disorders.
Specific aims:
At the end of the unit the student should be able to:
A. discuss the neuropathology, symptoms and molecular mechanisms of the major neurodegenerative diseases; B. discuss similarities of underlying molecular processes in different neurodegenerative diseases; C. discuss the importance of protein structure in the disease process; D. discuss the types of possible therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases; E. present the major theories of how neurodegenerative diseases occur, to other scientists; F. to understand what might be required to apply for (small) grant funding.
This unit is taught via a blended learning approach with a combination of online and face-to-face lectures, tutorials, and workshops supported by online resources.
The Unit is assessed through the writing of a research grant application of approximately 3,000 words (100%).
Formative coursework will reinforce the intended learning outcomes and will aid the writing of the grant application.
Selected relevant review papers from the literature. There are a number of topics within this unit. For each there is a recent review given. There are also additional notes given on Blackboard.