The purpose of the module is to give an advanced understanding of the physiology of the brain with a focus upon the action potential, the chemical synapse and the transmission of signals from cell to cell, the blood brain barrier and neuro-inflammation. How these processes relate to diseases of the nervous system will be covered in addition to an introduction to the symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, causes and management of the main diseases of the nervous system. The molecular and clinical pathologies of the most relevant neurological and inflammatory diseases, and their interconnectedness, such as Dementias (i.e., Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Disease), Autism Spectrum Disorders, Depression, Epilepsy, and Multiple Sclerosis will be discussed. In particular, cerebral and extracerebral pathologies such as altered microbiota composition and gut-brain signalling leading to CNS abnormalities will be highlighted. This is done through a multi-track approach, studying molecular signalling of individual cells as well as the emergent properties of abnormal signaling networks, leading to distinct clinical phenotypes.

Biomolecular sciences with regards to Neurological and Inflammatory diseases is the discipline concerned with the scientific study of the nervous and immune system and patho-mechanisms relevant for human diseases. Neuropathological and (neuro)inflammatory processes include the study of the inflammasome, and central and peripheral nervous system including their interactions in several diseases. Students will recapitulate the basics of neurophysiology and neuroanatomy focusing on the human system and understand inflammatory responses. The course will discuss highly relevant brain disorders with inflammatory contribution and provide an understanding of the underlying abnormalities in development, structure and function of the nervous system. The diseases will be examined from the perspective of the anatomical composition of neural pathways to the physiology and the pharmacological principles underlying neuronal and immune cell function and dysfunction. Insight will be given into the environmental and genetic factors that combine to give rise to the pathologies of neurological and inflammatory diseases. Acquiring this broad knowledge base is particularly important to develop an understanding of neurological and inflammatory disorders, which is of considerable importance in translational biomedical research. Lecture/tutorial topics include: Alongside an introduction to neuroscience and immunology, students will study the fundamental aspects of the most relevant neurological and inflammatory diseases. Neurophysiology I - Basic Neuroanatomy and Neurochemistry Neurophysiology II - Cellular Physiology and Physiology of Neural networks Neurophysiology III - The blood-brain barrier Inflammation and Neuroinflammation I: Cytokines and signalling molecules Inflammation and Neuroinflammation II: Gut-brain signalling Neurological disorders: Understanding Epilepsy Neurodevelopmental disorders: Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders Neuropsychiatric disorders: Understanding Mood Disorders Neurodegenerative disorders: Understanding Alzheimer's Disease Neurodegenerative disorders: Understanding Parkinson's Disease Inflammation in brain disorders, a cross talk of systems: Multiple Sclerosis and others

On successful completion of this module, it is expected that students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of modern molecular and cellular (neuro)pathology. 2. Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and operation of the nervous system in neurological diseases. 3. Explain the basics of the immune system and inflammatory response in inflammatory diseases. 4. Explain the relationship of the immune system, nervous system, and diseases. 5. Describe the clinical phenotype of neurological and inflammatory diseases. 6. Identify and explain the fundamental principles underpinning translational research and therapeutic approaches for neurological and inflammatory diseases.

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Lectures and tutorials