Neurobiology

AISC 614 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

Summary: The human nervous system is one of the great frontiers of modern biology. Current advances in neuroscience have transformed neurology from primarily a diagnostic specialty to one rich with therapeutic options. Through classroom didactic sessions we will visit basic neuroscience concepts — including cell and molecular biology of neurons, cellular neurophysiology, function of neural circuits, and neural degeneration and repair — and explore how these concepts inform our understanding and treatment of human disease. Classroom sessions will serve to either introduce foundational concepts in neuroscience or to highlight specific areas where cutting edge research is actively reshaping our understanding of health and disease and leading to new treatments. Clinical experiences will include neurology, as well as radiology, psychiatry, and neurosurgery. At the conclusion of the course, students will have deepened their understanding of basic neurobiology and, we hope, be inspired to contribute to scientific understanding or translate discoveries into novel therapies. 

Format of classroom-based sessions: Classroom sessions include highly interactive discussions/lectures by experts in the various areas, as well as weekly student-run journal clubs to critically dissect papers in the field, one-to-two papers each week. Course directors meet with student presenters in advance of each journal club to analyze the papers in detail. 

Format of clinical/field experiences: There will be two half-day clinical experiences per week. These will be a mix of group and individual clinic sessions designed to provide exposure to a range of clinical neuroscience. In these sessions, students will be paired with clinician-investigators with successful careers in clinically relevant basic and translational research. The objective is to both learn some clinical neuroscience and to identify critical knowledge gaps in our current clinical practice that will inspire classroom discussion and become the focus of a novel research plan developed for the class final project. 

Anticipated schedule: All AISCs are full time courses. Students are expected to devote at least 40 hours per week to scheduled sessions and preparatory work. This course holds class Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, and students spend an additional two half-days in clinic per week (individual clinic schedules vary), as well as regular preparatory reading for classroom sessions and detailed reading of weekly journal club papers. 

Course Manager: Rob McCabe.