Course Director:  Natalie Denburg

"Neurobiology of Disease" explores the basis of major diseases affecting the nervous system. This course has been developed in response to a nationwide concern that graduate students in neuroscience and other disciplines do not learn enough disease oriented biology. Experts from throughout the university will provide state of the art overviews on the clinical, neuropathological, physiological, and molecular features of disease. Lecturers will also discuss key areas that hold promise for future research, including the development of rational therapies. And for some lecturers, the content includes the interview of a live patient. Diseases to be discussed will include: neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer, Parkinson disease, expanded repeat diseases including Huntington's disease), neurodevelopmental disorders, muscular dystrophies, dystonia, stroke, epilepsy, anxiety or schizophrenia, among others.

Requirements: development of a brief lecture on a neurobiology of disease topic; participation in weekly discussion of topical research articles.