The main objectives of this module are:

 

After completion of the course, students are able to

1. define the clinical traits within the presented neurodevelopmental disorders
2. explain the phenotypic similarities and differences between ADHD, ASD and DBD.
3. apply the knowledge of the clinical phenotype to which behavioural test batteries can and cannot distinguish relevant underlying traits
4. distinguish between different neural and molecular substrates underlying these traits
5. critically evaluate literature on neurodevelopmental disorder molecular mechanisms, brain substrates and traits and ascertain how well preclinical models translationally match to this data in terms of their face, construct and predictive validity.
6. Present a research paper and to give feedback on presentations of other students.
7. Apply their knowledge about the biological base of these neurodevelopmental disorders into critically evaluating potential clinical interventions

The module 

This course focuses on understanding the biological trajectories of neurodevelopmental disorders by using illustrative examples in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and disruptive behavioral disorders (DBD). It enables insight into the neural and molecular mechanisms of these traits by coupling data from preclinical animal models to the clinical phenotype. The course lecturers have both translational neuroscience and clinical backgrounds and the key objective will be to orientate course participants towards thinking in a ‘translational’ way in terms of matching phenotypic, blood based biomarkers and MRI data. The course will also pay attention to developing and testing clinical interventions from translational and neuroscience data.