Undergraduate Course: Synaptic Function and Plasticity in Health and Disease (BIME10012)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biomedical Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Biomedical Sciences |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | Synapses are essential for brain function by allowing communication between neurons. The efficacy of this communication is adjusted by a complex series of processes collectively termed synaptic plasticity. Plasticity is both critically involved in normal brain development and underlies learning and memory throughout life. Alterations in normal synaptic function and plasticity have been implicated in a wide variety of neurological conditions.
This course will start with introductory lectures focussing on pre- and postsynaptic function and the molecular mechanisms involved in plasticity at both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. This will be followed by more detailed lectures including explanation of the latest experimental techniques being used to elucidate these mechanisms. These lectures will alternate with student presentations of recent research papers in the subject area. Finally we will use specific examples to explain how synaptic dysfunction can lead to neurological conditions, such as autism and schizophrenia, and study the experimental approaches and model systems currently being used to design clinical treatments.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | N/A |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2014/15 Semester 1, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Learn enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
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Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Course Start Date |
15/09/2014 |
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 40,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
156 )
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| Additional Notes |
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| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
100 %,
Coursework
0 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Understand processes involved in neurotransmitter vesicle recycling, endo- and exocytosis;
Understand the molecular mechanisms of regulation of synaptic efficacy;
Knowledge of the role of inhibitory synapses;
Understand the experimental techniques used to study synapses;
Ability to interpret, evaluate and present experimental findings;
Understand how synaptic dysfunction leads to disease.
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Assessment Information
| Exam 100% |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Contributors: Mike Cousin, Peter Kind, Giles Hardingham |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Synapse, brain, presynaptic, postsynaptic, disease, plasticity |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Michael Daw
Tel: (0131 6)50 3722
Email: Michael.Daw@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Lisa Ketchion
Tel: (0131 6)51 1629
Email: Lisa.Ketchion@ed.ac.uk |
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