Prospectus | 08/09 - Psychology and Neuroscience - Maastricht ...

Chapter 3 - Specialization Fundamental Neuroscience
and brain material of mammals at both the macroscopical (visual inspection) and
microscopical level. For the latter this course introduces the principles of multi-colour
fluorescent labeling of tissue sections using antibodies and fluorescent receptor
ligands. In addition, various other methods of modern brain imaging (both in vivo and
ex vivo) will be discussed.
Literature
The students will be provided with selected chapters from a textbook.
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Instructional Approach
The instructional approach will comprise some systematic lectures and various
practical elements such as dissection of sheep brains, studying of microscopical slices
of the rat brain and working with plastic human brain models.
Form of Assessment
Written examination and evaluation of practical performance.
| 414FN Neurodegeneration and Brain Damage - 4 credits
Coordinator: Fred van Leeuwen., Psychiatry & Neuropsychology (FHML), Phone 38 31044 ,
50 Universiteitssingel, Room 1.116, E-mail: f.vanleeuwen@np.unimaas.nl
Description of the Course
This course provides an in depth description of neurodegenerative processes that occur
during the development of neurodegenerative diseases, some of the most debilitating
disorders that include Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s disease
and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and also during brain damage. Although clinical
manifestations of these neurodegenerative diseases are different, they share common
features in neuropathology and in the underlying molecular mechanisms. The aim
of this course is to gain insight into the neurodegenerative processes, such as the
deposition of aggregated proteins, the loss of neurons and synapses, alterations in
neurogenesis and inflammatory processes, and alterations in metabolic/oxidative state,
and whether these are cause or consequence of the disease. Moreover, it will cover the
influences of genetic and environmental factors on disease progression and strategies
for therapy. Major emphasis will be on the molecular, that is neurochemical and
neurobiological, mechanisms that affect disease progression, using transgenic animal
models as well as brain cell cultures.
Literature
Recent journal articles and book chapters.
Instructional Approach
Lectures, group meetings and practical sessions.