Postgraduate Course: Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology and its Relevance to Pain Management (PAMA11055)
Course Outline
| School | Deanery of Clinical Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This is a 5-week, 10 credit, distance learning course on Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology and its relevance to Pain Management. You are expected to spend 20 hours per week on this course. You will be given a brief overview of the course and will be provided with relevant materials and resources. Specific tasks and online exercises relating to each weeks topic will be set. Summative assessment will be required for the course.
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| Course description |
The biopsychosocial model of pain has come to dominate our teaching of pain medicine. This has been possible due to the integration of pain concepts and theories alongside a clearer understanding and acknowledgment of neuroanatomy and physiology. A firm knowledge of neuroanatomy and physiology is necessary for us to continue with the development and advancement of pain management.
This course will aim for the student to assimilate advanced knowledge of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology and its relevance to pain management. An introductory week with be followed by more in-depth consideration of peripheral, spinal, supraspinal, genetic factors and how models blend these influences into an understanding of the pain experience.
Assessed discussion boards will facilitate group interaction, academic appraisal and shared learning and reflection. A written summative assignment will ask the student to assimilate their knowledge and critically appraise the literature.
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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 | No |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
MVM Online Learning Block 2 |
| Course Start Date |
05/01/2026 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 6,
Online Activities 15,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 6,
Formative Assessment Hours 5,
Summative Assessment Hours 30,
Other Study Hours 33,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
3 )
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| Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) |
0
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment and Feedback in this course is covered by the University of Edinburgh Assessment and Feedback Principles and Priorities. These can be found at this link https://edwebcontent.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/atoms/files/assessmentfeedbackprinciplespriorities.pdf .
The key principles that underpin assessment activities are evidence-based practice and the application of theory to clinical practice.
Assessment will consist of the following:
Assessment 1: Contribution to weekly discussion board activities 8% (2% x 4 weeks)
Assessment 2: Submission of a 200 - 300 word written assignment plan 2%.
Assessment 3: Submission of a 2000-word written assignment 90%.
Please note that you must make a reasonable attempt at each of the assignments in order to receive a passing grade for the course. If you fail to make a reasonable attempt at any of the assignments, you risk a failing grade for the course which would normally have serious repercussions in your ability to achieve an award.
You are required to complete and receive a passing grade on a number of different assignments in order to obtain a passing grade for this course. Please note that you must make a reasonable attempt at each of the assignments in order to receive a passing grade for the course
If you fail to make a reasonable attempt at any of the assessments in the course, you risk a failing grade for the course, which may have repercussions in your ability to achieve a final award in the programme. |
| Feedback |
Assessment and Feedback in this course is covered by the University of Edinburgh Assessment and Feedback Principles and Priorities. These can be found at this link https://edwebcontent.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/atoms/files/assessmentfeedbackprinciplespriorities.pdf .
Throughout your studies, you will receive regular feedback on your work. This helps to maximise the effectiveness of learning and teaching and enhances your performance. Feedback can be any comment from another person that may result in improving your learning and understanding. It is important to remember that feedback is not always in written form on a marked piece of work. Whilst feedback can take this form, most of the feedback you will receive during your university career may not associated with a mark.
Feedback is provided on all items of in-course assessment, both summative and formative. Formative feedback may take the form of group feedback where only salient points for the whole group are provided.
When marked work is returned to you, it is your responsibility to read and think about the feedback given and not just look at the mark. The feedback gives you an indication of what you did well, what you misunderstood and what you did not address correctly. If you have any questions, please contact the named Course Organiser. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Appreciate the biological and mechanistic contributors to pain within the biopsychosocial model
- Outline the fundamental neuroscience of pain, including ascending and descending pain pathways within the peripheral, axillary and central nervous systems
- Interprete current research on the neurophysiological processes involved in pain signal transmission and processing.
- Identify the influence of genetics on nociception mechanisms and heritable and other genetic-induced pain conditions
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Reading List
A list of Learning Resources will be provided to ensure access to appropriate and relevant resources to enable full participation in this course.
Details about the Learning Resource Lists can be found at https://www.ed.ac.uk/information-services/research-teaching-staff/resource-lists/information-for-students .
Below is a selection of some of the resources that you will be expected to engage with during the course. This is an indicative list and may be amended in light of more recent and relevant resources becoming available.
ARTICLE: Beyond nociception: the imprecision hypothesis chronic pain. Moseley, G.L ; Vlaeyen, J.W.SPain (Amsterdam) 156 (1) 2015-01-0135 - 38
ARTICLE: Velasco, E., Flores-Cortés, M., Guerra-Armas, J., Flix-Díez, L., Gurdiel-Álvarez, F., Donado-Bermejo, A., van den Broeke, E.N., Pérez-Cervera, L. & Delicado-Miralles, M. (2024) Is chronic pain caused by central sensitization A review and critical point of view. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. 167, 105886-. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105886.
ARTICLE: Sandkuhler, J. (2009) Models and Mechanisms of Hyperalgesia and Allodynia. Physiological reviews. 89 (2), 707758. doi:10.1152/physrev.00025.2008.
ARTICLE:Beyond nociception: the imprecision hypothesis chronic pain. Moseley, G.L ; Vlaeyen, J.W.SPain (Amsterdam) 156 (1) 2015-01-0135 - 38
ARTICLE:Studying human nociceptors: From fundamentals to clinic. Middleton, Steven J ; Barry, Allison M ; Comini, Maddalena ; Li, Yan ; Ray, Pradipta R ; Shiers, Stephanie ; Themistocleous, Andreas C ; Uhelski, Megan L ; Yang, Xun ; Dougherty, Patrick M ; Price, Theodore J ; Bennett, David L. Brain (London, England : 1878)144(5)2021-05-011312 - 1335
ARTICLE Structural plasticity and reorganisation in chronic pain. Rohini Kuner ; Herta Flor. Nature Reviews Neuroscience18(1)2016-12-1520 |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
GENERIC COGNITIVE SKILLS: the ability to apply critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to forefront issues and developments, develop original and creative responses to problems and issues, critically review, consolidate and extend knowledge, skills, practices and thinking, deal with complex issues and make informed judgements in situations in the absence of complete or consistent data/information.
COMMUNICATION, IT AND NUMERACY SKILLS: use a wide range of routine skills and a range of advanced and specialised skills such as communication with peers, more senior colleagues and specialists, evaluation of a wide range of numerical and geographical data
AUTONOMY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND WORKING WITH OTHERS: exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in professional and equivalent activities, work in a peer relationship with specialist practitioners, demonstrate leadership and/or initiative and make an identifiable contribution to change and development and/or new thinking, manage complex ethical and professional issues |
| Special Arrangements |
None |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr Neil Clark
Tel: (0131 2)42 6130
Email: neil.clark2@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Ewelina Skala
Tel: (0131 5)37 1000
Email: eskala2@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
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