Entry requirements

120 credits in biomedicine, pharmaceutical bioscience, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology or equivalent education within biology/chemistry or medicine.

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course the student shall be able to:

• describe and analyse clinical symptoms and pathological processes of the most common neurodegenerative diseases.
• identify and describe goals and possibilities with the current research of neurodegenerative diseases, with an extra focus on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
• explain how biochemical properties of proteins can cause neurodegenerative diseases and how these proteins affect various cells in the brain.
• describe possible pathological spreading mechanisms for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
• describe animal models and cell culture models that are central for neurodegenerative research.
• explain the basis of different techniques that are used for imaging of the diseased brain.
• describe genetic factors behind the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
• describe the inflammation process in neurodegenerative diseases.
• reflect on and describe the mechanisms of current treatment and diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, treatment strategies as well as ethical and societal aspects.
• describe the principle and application of common laboratory techniques, such as immunostainings, ELISA, western blot and microscopy.
• reflect on and discuss scientific problems and research results.
• interpret, critically evaluate, compile and communicate scientific data and research results in the field of studies, orally and in written.

Content

The course covers general molecular and clinical aspects of neurodegenerative diseases, mainly focusing on central questions in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease research. The course elucidates important issues and central methods and techniques within this research field.

The course provides:

• insight in medical care and treatment of the most common neurodegenerative diseases.
• detailed knowledge of the initiation of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and how the diseases may spread in the brain.
• knowledge about how various techniques could be used in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases.
• understanding of different cellular processes that are central for neurodegenerative diseases, including inflammation and various types of cellular stress.
• knowledge about animal models and cell culture models that are central for neurodegenerative research.
• practical experience of laboratory methods used in neurodegenerative research.
• training in reflection and discussion of scientific publications relevant for the research field.

Instruction

The course will include lectures, as well as mandatory seminars, laboratory sessions, case studies and demonstrations. There will be both individual work and group work during the course, including written and oral presentations.

Approval of uncompleted compulsory course parts will be possible earliest during the next course occasion and only if there are available places.

Assessment

To pass the course all assignments must be completed and approved as well as participation in all compulsory elements, i.e. laboratory sessions, demonstrations and seminars. Examination of the course will take place during the course, by oraland practical tasks, as well as individual written tasks. Moreover, the students has to present a literature project, orally and written.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator

Other directives

Approval of uncompleted compulsory course parts will be possible earliest during the next course occasion and only if there are available places.