This module will explore the neurobiological underpinnings of several neurological diseases and brain injury. It will focus on the anatomical and functional alterations in a variety of developmental, degenerative, neurological, and traumatic disorders. Emphasis will be put on recent research into understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease and, when applicable, how this might lead (or has led) to new therapeutic venues. Students will be encouraged to use the knowledge of functional neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and molecular and cellular neurobiology acquired as part of their Neuroscience degree course in a synoptic manner, to understand basic neuropathology.

The module will comprise a series of lectures delivered by specialists in various research areas. Students on NEUR010 will receive 2 papers to review and will be asked to deliver written reports as part of their coursework. Each group of NEUR0010 students will be asked to give a short presentation on one of these papers at the end-of-module Student Symposium. Wrap-up sessions will focus on the discussion of selected aspects covered in the lectures by using a problem-based, student-led approach. Additional tutorials will provide guidelines on how to read original research articles and write review reports, on revision and exam techniques and on how to give short presentations.

Indicative lecture topics: 

PART 1: The role of the modern day neuropathologist in clinical diagnostics and research. PART 2: Neuropathology approaches in specific CNS disease
	Huntington’s disease
	Ataxias
	Parkinson’s disease
	Alzheimer’s disease
	Clinical Research in Alzheimer’s disease
	Mitochondrial dysfunctions in neurodegenerative disease
	Frontotemporal dementia
	Spinal Muscular atrophy
	Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
	Problem-based wrap-up session on neurodegenerative diseases
	Stroke and Brain ischaemia
	Epilepsy
	Migraines
	Down syndrome
	Spina bifida and neural tube defects
	Neuroinflammatory diseases and Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
	Myastenia gravis & Lamber-Eaton syndrome
	Prion diseases
	Traumatic Brain injury
	Brain tumors
	Problem-based wrap-up session
	Presentation of scientific papers