Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2019 - BPK 446 D100

Neurological Disorders (3)

Class Number: 4364

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 13, 2019
    Sat, 12:00–3:00 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:

Spring 2019

• Jan 4 (2 hours); Introduction to course, video, Discussion of video, anatomy and physiology related to disease
• Jan 9 (1 hour): Response of CNS cells to injury
• Jan 11: (2 hour): Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), including genetic studies
• Jan 16: (1 hours): ALS (continued)
• Jan 18: (2 hours): Excitatory amino acids and excitotoxicity, calcium and role of Ca2+
• Jan 23: (1 hour) Axon transport
• Jan 25: (2 hours) Apoptosis and cell death
• Jan 30: (1 hour) Trophic factors
• Feb 1: (2 hours): FIRST MIDTERM EXAM, Alzheimer’s disease
• Feb 6: Alzheimer’s disease
• Feb 8: (2 hours) Alzheimer’s disease and fronto-temporal dementia
• Feb 13: Fronto-temporal dementia
• Feb 15: (2 hours): Cerebrovascular disease, ESSAY TOPICS DUE, Essays due: March 15
• FEB 20 and 22: READING WEEK
• Feb 27: Prion disease
• Mar 1: (2 hours) SECOND MIDTERM EXAM and multiple sclerosis,
• Mar 6: Inflammation in the nervous system
• Mar 8: (2 hours) Multiple sclerosis
• Mar 13: Peripheral nerve disease and axon transport
• Mar 15: Huntington’s disease: ESSAY DUE MAR 15!
• Mar 20: Autism
• Mar 22: (2 hours) Myesthenia gravis and the neuromuscular junction
• Mar 27: Memory and temporal lobe dysfunction
• Mar 29: (2 hours) Myotonia and muscle disease
• Apr 3: Muscle Disease
• Apr 5: Catch up and Review

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

A course in neurobiology emphasizing current concepts of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying diseases of the nervous system and muscle and how the study of disease has contributed to our understanding of cell biology. The aim of the course is not to be comprehensive, but to emphasize new developments and to give an overall view of general mechanisms involved in pathogenesis. The students will practice critical review and interpretation of the literature and develop the skill of succinct scientific writing.

Grading

  • Midterm 1 15%
  • Midterm 2 20%
  • Short summary of paper/methods and/ or presentation 10%
  • Essay 20%
  • Final Exam 35%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings will be provided. There is no textbook

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:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site 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

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS