Neurodegenerative Diseases Foundation, Tools and Perspectives

OVERVIEW
From molecules to brain, cells to behaviour, this interactive course provides you with a comprehensive insight into various aspects of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Vanishing White Matter. It addresses both clinical aspects and methodologies for the study of brain diseases with expert lecturers presenting their applied and fundamental research work.

COURSE CONTENT
You are challenged to deepen your own knowledge of a selected neurodegenerative condition by working with peers from different academic backgrounds on an integrated, interdisciplinary approach for presentation at the end of the course – a project that requires active involvement, mechanistic thinking and thorough reasoning, and will develop your critical and constructive faculties. 

The course is organized by the Centre for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), one of the centres of expertise at the Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam. The CNCR operates integrated research programmes, covering everything from genes to behaviour, each combining mouse and human studies. Its teams are leaders in their specific fields, renowned for the use of state-of-the-art techniques 

LEVEL
Beginning/Advanced Bachelor

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

At the end of the course, you:

• Gained a basic knowledge of neurodegenerative diseases, the “foundation”. 
• Gained an in-depth knowledge of specific research approaches and methods to address various aspects of neurodegenerative diseases, the “toolbox”.
• Formed an overview of current limits and future needs, the “perspective“.
• Integrated this information to propose new ideas and hypotheses for neurodegenerative diagnostics and therapy, the “potential”.

FIELD VISITS
Visits to several of the state-of-the-art laboratories at the Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, including the electron microscopy, confocal and life cell imaging and animal and behavioural facilities.

TEACHING METHODS
Interactive seminar, demonstrations, self-study

ASSESSMENT METHODS
Debate and presentation 

TARGET AUDIENCE
Students and professionals in the field of Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, Physics and other medically oriented disciplines with an interest in the molecular processes that underlie brain function in health and disease.