PM3PCOL4-Experimental Approaches to Neuroscience

Module Provider: Pharmacy
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites: PM2PCOL1 Molecular Drug Targets and PM2PCOL2 Drug Design and Delivery and PM2PCOL3 Mathematical Modelling for Pharmacology
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: PM3PCOL1 Research Project and PM3PCOL2 Societal Impact of Pharmacology and PM3PCOL3 Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Francesco Tamagnini
Email: f.tamagnini@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The best way to do science it is to use your hands and then formalize the understanding of your experience. In this “Experimental Approaches to Neuroscience” module we will start with an experiment involving the measurement of the electrical activity in brain slices, without any further knowledge.

Throwing you directly into the laboratory environment to collect data and following this up with self-directed and lecture-aided support, to prepare your first formative report.

The remainder of the course will be built over an experimental axis:

1. Solvent-based extraction of neuroactive drugs from plants (for example from tea dry leaves).


2. Testing the effect of the extracted drug on the electrical and synaptic responses in a preclinical model of neural activity.


3. Testing the effect of the drug over brain electrical oscillations in a person, using electroencephalography.

The lectures, online material, formative, and summative assessments will be built around this programme of work.

The aim of this course is to provide the student with a systematic knowledge of the brain function, and drug-related alterations, paralleling different mind states using an experimental based approach enriched and complemented by lectures and on-line material. 

Aims:

1. Acquire systematic knowledge of the central and peripheral nervous system using an experiment-centred approach.


2. Learn and familiarize with electrophysiological techniques for the measurement of single channel, single cell, local network, and whole brain activity.


3. Using neuropharmacology to understand the causal relationship between receptor modulation, single cell, network, and whole brain activity alteration.


4. Investigating the conceptual relationship between neuronal function and the mind.

Assessable learning outcomes:

1. Explain the distinct roles and players that contribute to brain organisation from a molecular to network level.


2. Critically evaluate the physiological meaning of the measurable outcomes produced during the experiments of drug extraction and pharmacological testing on brain samples.


3. Critically evaluate the effects of drugs over multilevel brain activity.


4. Critically discuss the conceptual problems associated with the relation between measurable brain activity and qualitatively defined mental functions (memory, fear, pain, perception, etc).


5. Ability to complete data analysis and test specific hypotheses.


6. Ability to communicate experimental results from neuroscience and relate them to broader context.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

The content will develop over an experimental axis.

Practical activities (20 hours)

1. Measuring evoked potentials in hippocampal brain slices.


2. Extraction of active principles from drugs.


3. Effects of drugs on neurophysiological properties in a preclinical model (for example brain slices).


4. Effects of drugs on brain neural oscillations.

The practical activities described in 1-4 will involve the compiling of lab books for each student, which will be part of the summative assessment.

Face to face lectures and online material (20 hours)

These will also be provided to aid the understanding of the physiological meaning of the measured outcomes.

1. Neurons and glia: friends and foes. Role of the neuron-glia interaction in physiology and pathology.


2. Plasma membrane. Structure and function.


3. Transmission of the signal. Synaptic transmission. 


4. Memory, learning and synaptic plasticity.


5. Motor function.


6. Endocrine and nervous system: continuity or separation?

Workshop. Brain and Mind. Discussion on the relationship between measurable brain activity and qualitatively/philosophically defined mind functions. Structured, small group learning will be used as a formative exercise, resulting in a group power-point presentation.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module is built over the experimental axis described in the outline content section, while the  lectures will provide, additional, complementary material to reach the formative aims.

The favoured practical approach will promote the deep learning of the content because the knowledge will arise from direct experience, aided by classical frontal lectures. The formative and summative assessment methods involve activities based on self-directed learning, building of mi nd maps and outcome driven tasks. For example, the preparation of a research paper-style report and the compiling of the lab-book as a portfolio. These tasks require active engaging with the teaching materials, which has been shown to result in more consolidated understanding of a subject.

Finally, the workshop will allow to discuss the philosophical implications and potential limits of the quantitative study of the brain activity.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Demonstration		10
Practicals classes and workshops		20
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		30
Wider reading (directed)		20
Preparation for presentations		20
Preparation of practical report		20
Group study tasks		20
Essay preparation		40
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Portfolio	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1. Drug effects on neuronal activity. A research-paper like essay, critically discussing the results observed in the experiments measuring the effect of the extracted drug on neuronal function. (50%)


2. Lab book. The experimental work carried out in the practical activities will need to be registered and annotated for each student in a personal lab book. This will need to be compiled in an organized, concise, and relevant way. (50%)

Formative assessment methods:

1. Synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity. An individual mind-map on the relationship between synaptic transmission, plasticity, and the measurement of field excitatory post-synaptic potentials in brain slices.


2. Philosophy of mind. Workshop discussion on the problem of how neurophysiology experiments developed in the module relate to cognitive psychology. 

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% overall weighted mark.

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment arrangements are in accordance with University policy.

Failed coursework may be reassessed by an alternative piece of work, before or during the August examination period.

Final year students are not eligible to re-sit this module unless they have failed their degree programme overall.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022