PN4230 Maladaptive Changes in the Nervous System

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

BSc Hons Neuroscience students have priority on this module, and numbers are capped at 24 due to the size of the teaching laboratory used for delivery.

Planned timetable

tbc

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr I Allodi

Dr I Allodi
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Team taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

In this module, students will develop a detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms causing maladaptive changes in the nervous system. Work will focus at the cellular and molecular level allowing in-depth understanding of the events underpinning nervous system diseases and disorders, including trauma, neurodegenerative disorders and aging. The module will also discuss in vitro and in vivo modelling of disease (e.g., patient-derived stem cells, organoids, mouse models of disease) as well as genomics, transcriptomics and other methods to investigate maladaptive changes. Students will learn about the empirical models that are used to study these processes through laboratory classes and workshops.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PN3313 AND PASS BL3303

Assessment pattern

Continual assessment 30% (10% commentaries and 20% lab report) and 2hr Exam 70%

Re-assessment

Continual assessment 30% (10% commentaries and 20% lab report) and 2hr Exam 70%. Applies to failed components only

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2-hr Seminars (9 weeks), 6-hr Practicals (1 week)

Scheduled learning hours

24

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

126

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of maladaptive changes in the nervous system
  • understand key areas relating to maladaptive processes including but not limited to trauma, neurodegenerative disease and aging
  • understand in vitro and in vivo models that are used to study these processes
  • understand key techniques to investigate changes in neurological diseases