Brain and Behaviour

Course Content:

This research-driven module will provide a thorough background in the fields of
neurophysiology and neuropharmacology and introduce a range of current topics in
neuroscience, selected from such areas as cellular and molecular neurobiology, sensory
and motor systems, cognitive neuroscience and degenerative neuropathologies. Students
will experience current research techniques and learn to critically evaluate and discuss
different ways of studying the brain.

Autumn Semester content summary: cellular and molecular neurobiology:
Transmitter/receptor interactions; mediation of long-term changes, plasticity, LTP &
LTD; electrophysiology; selective drug targeting in the brain (e.g. SSRIs).
Sensory systems: Special senses; nociception and analgesia; migraine.

Spring Semester content summary: Control of action: Motor systems; principles of
control systems; motivation and decision making; speaking, reading and writing; the
frontal lobes, OCD and anxiety disorders; Cognition and behaviour: learning and
conditioning; drug addiction; abnormal psychology and antipsychotics; sleep and
hypnotics;Degenerative diseases of the brain: Alzheimer?s disease, Parkinson?s disease,
prion disease (CJD), multiple sclerosis; growth factor and stem cells treatments for
degenerative diseases; potential of gene therapy and pharmacogenetics in
neurogenerative disease.

Topics covered may include:
? Cellular and molecular neurobiology: Transmitter/receptor interactions;
mediation of long-term changes, plasticity, LTP & LTD; electrophysiology;
selective drug targeting in the brain (e.g. SSRIs).
? Sensory systems: Special senses; nociception and analgesia; migraine.
? Control of action: Motor systems; principles of control systems; motivation and
decision making; speaking, reading and writing; the frontal lobes, OCD and
anxiety disorders.
? Cognition and behaviour: learning and conditioning; drug addiction; abnormal
psychology and antipsychotics; sleep and hypnotics.
? Degenerative diseases of the brain: Alzheimer?s disease, Parkinson?s disease,
prion disease (CJD), multiple sclerosis; growth factor and stem cells treatments
for degenerative diseases; potential of gene therapy and pharmacogenetics in
neurodegenerative disease.

Teaching: Lectures, tutorials, practical sessions and assessment briefings & events

Assessment:
STUDY OPTION 1:
? Exam (50%)
? Practical: Journal Club Presentation (15%)
? Coursework:
? Journal Club, requiring students to write a short abstract on a literature
review of a selected topic within the scope of the module (10%).
? Laboratory Book containing reports on all laboratory classes within the
module, and marked for accuracy of records, data quality and ability to
critically discuss the results (25%).
STUDY OPTION 2:
? Practical report x2 (15% each)
? Essay (20%)
? Examination (50%)
STUDY OPTION 3:
? Practical report x2 (15% each)
? Journal club abstract & presentation (20%)
? Examination (50%)

Study Option 1 = Whole Year
Study Option 2 = Autumn
Study Option 3 = Spring/summer