Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2023 - BPK 446 D100

Neurological Disorders (3)

Class Number: 4491

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 24, 2023
    Mon, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    BPK 306. Recommended: BPK 336 and/or BPK 415.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines neural and neuromuscular diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and myasthenia gravis. Emphasizes currently favoured hypotheses, underlying evidence and pathogenic mechanisms.

COURSE DETAILS:

This lecture-based course explores the anatomy, physiology and pathology of a number of nervous system and muscle-related diseases of man and other mammals. The intent is the expand on the anatomic and physiology background of BPK, BNS and other students to explore a variety of disorders of relevance to our understanding of the nervous and muscular systems, as well as scientific enquiry in biology, and medicine. It will be of interest to those interested in studies in the health-related disciplines, especially those interested in nervous system diseases. 

Schedule from previous course DATES:

  • Jan 13 (1 hours); Introduction to course, video, Discussion of video, anatomy and physiology related to disease
  • Jan 15 (2 hour): Video, Response of CNS cells to injury
  • Jan 20: (1 hour): Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), including genetic studies
  • Jan 22: (2 hours): ALS (continued)
  • Jan 27: (1 hours): Axon transport
  • Jan 29: (2 hours) Excitatory amino acids and excitotoxicity, calcium and role of Ca2+
  • Feb 3: (1 hour) Trophic factors
  • Feb 5: (2 hours) Apoptosis and cell death
  • Feb 10: (1 hour) Alzheimer’s disease ( 1 hour)
  • Feb 12: (2 hours): FIRST MIDTERM EXAM, Alzheimer’s disease SYNCHRONOUS EXAM (approx. 1 hour)
  • Feb 15- Feb 21: READING WEEK; ESSAY TOPICS DUE, Essays due: March 15
  • Feb 24: Alzheimer’s disease
  • Feb 26: (2 hours) Alzheimer’s disease and fronto-temporal dementia
  • Mar 3: Prion disease
  • Mar 5: (2 hours), Cerebrovascular disease
  • Mar 10: Inflammation in the nervous system
  • Mar 12: (2 hours) SECOND MIDTERM EXAM and Multiple sclerosis SYNCHRONOUS EXAM
  • Mar 17: Peripheral nerve disease and axon transport
  • Mar 19: Huntington’s disease: ESSAY DUE MAR 15!
  • Mar 24: Autism
  • Mar 26: (2 hours) Myasthenia gravis and the neuromuscular junction
  • Mar 31: Memory and temporal lobe dysfunction
  • April 2: Holiday, Good Friday
  • April 7: Myotonia and muscle disease
  • April 9: Consciousness and seizures (2 hours)
  • Apr 14: Misc (stem cells, RNAinterference and other)
  • Apr 16: Catch up and Review (2 hours)

Grading

  • Midterm 15%; Midterm 2: 20% 35%
  • Short essay 10%; Long essay 20% 30%
  • Final exam 35%

NOTES:

Short essay may be changed to short presentation depending on class arrangements (Zoom, etc)

REQUIREMENTS:

BPK 306 required, BPK 326 recommended; Biochemistry courses helpful

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Course notes. Additional reading texts in library

REQUIRED READING:

Course notes will be provided

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

It is the responsibility of the student to keep their BPK course outlines if they plan on furthering their education.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html