Medical Neuroscience

Explore the structure and function of the human central nervous system. Learn why knowledge of human neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neural plasticity, and new discovery in the brain sciences matters for clinical practice.

About the Course

Medical Neuroscience explores the organization and physiology of the human central nervous system. This course is designed for first-year students in graduate-level health professions programs. It builds upon knowledge acquired in prior studies of cellular and molecular biology, general physiology, and gross human anatomy. The course provides students an understanding of the essential principles of neurological function, from cellular and molecular mechanisms of neural signaling and plasticity to the organization and function of sensory and motor systems. This course emphasizes the neural and vascular anatomy of the human brain and spinal cord, providing an anatomical framework for localizing lesions within the central nervous system. It also emphasizes the neurobiological foundation for understanding mental illness and disorders of human behavior.
The overall goal is to equip students of the health professions for interpreting impairments of sensation, action and cognition that accompany neurological injury, disease or dysfunction. Students currently pursuing advanced studies in the brain sciences will benefit from this course by learning the fundamentals of functional neuroanatomy and how neuroscience discovery translates to clinical practice.

About the Instructor(s)

Leonard E. White investigates brain development in early life and the relationships between the structure of neural circuits and the functional properties they generate. His research has been published in top scientific journals and he is co-author of a digital atlas of the human brain (Sylvius) and co-editor and co-author of a leading textbook in the field (Neuroscience, Sinauer Assoc., Inc.). In addition, he directs an on-campus version of this online course for first-year medical students at Duke.

White came to Duke University in 1992 after completing a Ph.D. in neural biology at Washington University in St. Louis. After pursuing postdoctoral studies in the Department of Neurobiology at Duke University School of Medicine, he joined the faculty of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 1999, where he developed and continues to teach foundational coursework in neuroscience and functional neuroanatomy. In 2008, he joined the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, where he serves as director of education. White helped implement and now supports Undergraduate Studies in Neuroscience at Duke University.

White is the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award from physical therapy students, the Golden Apple Award from medical students, and the Master Clinician/Teacher Award from the Duke University School of Medicine.

Course Syllabus

Topics covered include: 1. Neural signaling and plasticity 2. Sensory and motor systems 3. Brain development 4. Brain basis of cognition and disorders of human behavior 5. Neuroanatomy of the human brain and spinal cord

Recommended Background

To be successful in this course, a college-level background in cellular and molecular biology and general knowledge of systems physiology and human anatomy is strongly recommended.

Suggested Readings

Although the course is designed to be self-contained for students with the recommended background, students wanting to expand their knowledge and reinforce their understanding are strongly encouraged to complete all recommended readings. The primary reference text for this course is Neuroscience, 5th Ed., by Purves et al. (Sinauer Assoc., Inc.). This text is bundled with neuroanatomical software, Sylvius 4 Online: An Interactive Atlas and Visual Glossary of Human Neuroanatomy, (also available as a standalone product).

Course Format

The course consists of lecture videos delivered by Professor White and additional world-renowned faculty in the Duke University School of Medicine who are experts in basic and clinical neuroscience. These videos contain 1-3 integrated multiple-choice questions per tutorial. Readiness assessments and weekly application exercises focused on clinical case studies of neurological patients will assist students in keeping pace with course content. Principles of team-based learning are adapted to harness the power of collaborative learning. A comprehensive final exam is administered at the conclusion of the course. Learning will be supported by recommended textbook readings and interactive activities using digital atlases of the human brain and spinal cord. Accompanying electronic documents and a guide for learning human neuroanatomy are also available.

FAQ

• Will I get a Statement of Accomplishment for completing this course?

  Yes. Students who successfully complete the class will receive a Statement of Accomplishment signed by the instructor.

• Who should enroll in this course?

  You should take this course if you are currently enrolled in a health professions curriculum or are preparing to do so having satisfied the usual prerequisites. This course is designed to provide you with the foundational knowledge you will need in basic neuroscience and clinical neuroanatomy. If you are pursuing advanced studies in the brain sciences or a related biomedical or bioengineering field, then you will take away an understanding of human brain anatomy and insight into how ongoing discovery in neuroscience is shaping clinical practice. If you are simply curious about the structure and function of the human brain, but have no aspirations to apply this knowledge in the health or research professions, you too can have an engaging and fulfilling experience, provided that you are willing to commit to all assigned readings and assessments.

• What is the intellectual difficulty of this course?

  The intellectual challenge and content level of this course is comparable to what first-year students in the graduate-level health professions would experience.

• Is there a required textbook for this course?

  You can be successful in this course without acquiring Neuroscience, 5th Ed. However, your experience will be significantly enhanced if you acquire the text and complete all recommended readings and learning activities using the bundled neuroanatomical software.

Provided by:

University: Duke University

Instructor(s): Leonard E. White