5 ECTS credits
125 u studietijd
Aanbieding 1 met studiegidsnummer 4002179ENR voor alle studenten in het 1e semester met een verdiepend master niveau.
This course aims to offer a basic understanding of the organization and function of the brain. After covering the structure and functionality of the healthy brain, we will discuss the origin and pathogenesis of brain disorders. Finally, the course will cover new therapeutic approaches that are being developed to treat brain disease.
Course outline:
Part 1. Basics of the structure and function of the brain
1) Focus on neurons
- Understanding neurons and the principles of neuronal communication
- Understanding the basics of neuronal circuits and information processing
- Molecular mechanisms of learning and memory
- Anatomic organization of the brain
2) Focus on glia: essential accessory cells that support brain function
- Macroglia: astrocytes and oligodendrocytes
- Microglia
3) Focus on brain structure and the brain’s interactions with the periphery
- The brain’s border tissues (meninges, choroid plexus, perivascular spaces)
- Brain barriers (blood-brain barrier, blood-CSF barrier, glia limitans)
- The brain’s ventricular system, cerebrospinal fluid and the glymphatic system
- The importance of neuro-immune interactions and brain immune surveillance
4) Focus on technologies to study the brain
- Microscopy and microscopic imaging of the brain
- Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain
- Optogenetics and chemogenetics
Part 2. Brain disorders
1) Insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis
2) Neurodegenerative diseases from a clinical perspective
Part 3. New therapeutic approaches for treating brain disorders
- Immunotherapy for neurodegenerative disease
- Cell therapy and microglia replacement
PowerPoint presentations discussed during the lectures and relevant articles will be available in Canvas.
Understanding the basic organization and function of the brain and of its main cellular constituents.
Insights into the origin and progression of neurodegenerative disorders.
A notion of the new therapeutic breakthroughs that are being developed to treat brain disease.
De beoordeling bestaat uit volgende opdrachtcategorieën:
Examen Mondeling bepaalt 100% van het eindcijfer
Binnen de categorie Examen Mondeling dient men volgende opdrachten af te werken:
The students will receive questions and will have 1 hour for a written preparation. This will be followed by an oral exam, in which certain questions will be further discussed.
Deze aanbieding maakt deel uit van de volgende studieplannen:
Master in de biomedische wetenschappen: management en bedrijfsleven
Master in de biomedische wetenschappen: klinische biomedische wetenschappen
Master of Biomedical Research: Standaard traject (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Educatieve master in de gezondheidswetenschappen: standaard traject (120 ECTS, Etterbeek)