CE5194: Diseases and Disorders of the Brain

School Continuing and Professional Education
Department Code LEARN
Module Code CE5194
External Subject Code 100272
Number of Credits 10
Level L4
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Dr Zbigniew Sobiesierski
Semester Spring Semester
Academic Year 2020/1

Outline Description of Module

This course discusses the history, development and treatment of diseases and disorders of the brain including; Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and Schizophrenia. The approach adopted focuses on current research and developments relating to disorders of the brain and pays particular attention to the underlying molecular and genetic factors which are associated with these diseases.  

On completion of the module a student should be able to

  • Cite possible contributory risk factors and causative agents to the development of neurological diseases and disorders, including genetic, molecular and environmental factors.
  • Understand the varied symptoms of neurological diseases including; motor, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms and how these symptoms often relate to one another.
  • Appreciate and understand how and why disease symptoms may arise and present in patients due to the underlying neuropathology of the disease.
  • Understand how neurological disorders are researched and the use of pre-clinical models in biomedical research.
  • Understand the processes of genetic testing, where appropriate, and the wider implications that this may have for patients and families.
  • Appreciate the link between neurological disorders and mental health problems.
  • Understand the development, initiation and completion of clinical trials in relation to novel therapies for neurological diseases. 

 

How the module will be delivered

Lectures, discussions and case study exercises (20 hours contact).

 

A full range of visual aids will be employed and students given critical feedback on their written coursework portfolio

Skills that will be practised and developed

Skills that will be practised and developed

Intellectual Skills:

  • integrate information provided in lectures and private study
  • present ideas and arguments effectively and coherently in written form, and to communicate them in oral presentations, as appropriate

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

  • prepare reports on neurological diseases and disorders that achieve a professional standard of presentation in layout, orderly citation of references and use of biological nomenclature.

Transferable Skills:

  • initiate and direct their own learning
  • communicate ideas and arguments effectively in written form
  • assemble information/data and draw appropriate conclusions from it

 

How the module will be assessed

Type of assessment     %  Contribution    Title   Duration  (if applicable)  Approx. date of Assessment

Coursework portfolio      100               Coursework portfolio based on neurological disorders  Week 11

 

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Written Assessment 100 Diseases And Disorders Of The Brain N/A

Syllabus content

  • History, causes and symptoms of Huntington’s disease

 

  • History, causes and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

 

  • History, causes and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

 

  • History, causes and symptoms of Schizophrenia

 

  • Mental health problems in neurological disorders

 

  • The research process and scientific method in researching neurological disorders

 

  • Clinical trials process and examples in neurological diseases

Background Reading and Resource List

Indicative Reading and Resource List:

The module is intended to give learners up to date information regarding current research within the field of neurological diseases, thus relevant and new references will be provided throughout the lectures.

The following are general textbooks and guides to help provide an overview

J. Beatty Principles of Behavioral Neuroscience (1995) Wm. C. Brown Communications Inc. ISBN: 0697127419

M.-Marsel Mesulam (2000) Principles of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology. Oxford University Press Inc. 198 Madison Avenue, New York. ISBN: 0195134753

D Dickson and R.O. Weller (2011) Neurodegeneration: The Molecular Pathology of Dementia and Movement Disorders. John Wiley and Sons. ISBN: 1405196939

C. G. Goetz MD and E. J. Pappert MD. (2007) Textbook of Clinical Neurology. Saunders; 3rd edition. ISBN: 1416036180

 

 


Copyright Cardiff University. Registered charity no. 1136855