This course will give a brief introduction of brain imaging techniques in cognitive neuroimaging
including electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), functional magnetic
resonance imaging (fMRI), and positron emission tomography (PET). Furthermore, imaging
techniques in animal imaging and behavioural models will be introduced. Lastly, molecular
neurosciences techniques will be briefly introduced to the students. Students will furthermore be
familiarized with selected applications of medical neuroscience in practical sessions and journal clublike
discussions. One goal of the course is to gain a basic understanding of what is possible and what
is not in medical neurosciences. A secondary goal is to introduce students to the medical neuroscience
literature and serve as an orientation for future study choices.
|
|
Technological developments in medical neuroscience have created a unique window into
understanding the working of the (human) brain. Medical Neuroscience encompasses fundamental
neuroscience that is directed toward application to the clinical context and clinical, applied
neuroscience. Medical Neuroscience is conducted using molecular, behavioural, and cognitive
neuroscience approaches: Molecular, neuroanatomical and electrophysiological techniques in vitro
are applied to understand the functions and anatomy of neuronal networks better. Behavioural,
electrophysiological animal models are developed and investigated in pursuit of neurotransmitter and
hormonal alterations related to neurological or psychiatric states and lastly, cognitive neuroscience
approaches employ neuroimaging techniques to investigate human behaviour and brain activity in
vivo. The course aims to give an introduction to research on in the medical neurosciences, give a basic
understanding of the brain and its disorders to interested students early in their studies. This early
exposure to medical neuroscience may help in establishing a knowledge base on which further
courses can build.
The course will start with an introductory lecture on cognitive neuroscience, which will give an
overview of the currently most widely used neuroimaging methods in human brain research (EEG,
MEG, fMRI and PET). This introduction is followed by two introductory lectures on behavioural and
molecular neurosciences that introduce animal imaging, animal models in psychiatric and neurology
research, in vitro neuronal network modelling, and electrophysiological techniques. This is followed
by lab tours at the local research facilities of the Donders Institute’s Centre for Cognitive
Neuroimaging (DCCN) and the Translational Neuroscience Unit (TNU). The content of the lecture will
be put into a research context through a literature assignment. In this assignment, small study groups
will read and understand a medical neuroscience paper using standard methods. Each group will
subsequently present a summary of the paper and a critical reflection on the whole group of students.
The course concludes with a final lecture summarizing the topics and giving opportunities for
discussion about neuroscience studies and career possibilities.
The course will be in English. 2 ECTS (56 SBU) will be awarded for successful participation.
Part Contact hour Self-study
Introductory lecture 1 hour 2 hours
Cognitive neuroscience lecture 1 hour 2 hours
Animal imaging 1 hour 2 hours
Behavioural animal models 1 hour 2 hours
Molecular neuroscience 1 hour 2 hours
DCCN & TNU lab tours 4 hours 0 hour
Literature assignment 2 hours 20 hours
Interactive literature seminar 5 hours 4 hours
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|