Time Schedule:
Christopher D Keene
PATH 513
Seattle Campus
Introduction to the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie neurodegenerative diseases, including introduction to the normal development and anatomy of the central nervous system, a review of epidemiologic, genetic, and clinical research tools used in the investigation of these diseases, and a systematic review of the major neurodegenerative diseases.
Class description
This is a survey level course of molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration and will cover the following subjects: neuroanatomy, Parkinson's disease and proteinopathies, Alzheimer's disease and neuroinflammation, stem cells and development, environmental neurotoxicity, trinucleotide repeat diseases (Huntington's disease), spongiform encephalopathies and prions, white matter degeneration.
Student learning goals
To understand the anatomic basis of diverse neurodegenerative diseases.
To understand the concept of proteinopathy, how proteinopathies underlie diverse neurodegenerative diseases, and mechanisms to study proteinopathies.
To understand the cellular and molecular basis of neuroinflammation, its role in disease, and strategies to study/manipulate neuroinflammation.
To understand cellular and molecular basis of trinucleotide repeat diseases, spongiform encephalopathies, and white matter injury.
To be introduced to neurogenesis and ways in which neurodevelopment and adult neurogenesis may be used to understand or treat neurodegeneration.
To learn different environmental toxins and their connection to neurodegeneration.
General method of instruction
Informal lectures with discussion and review of primary literature.
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
Each student will be responsible for the critical review and presentation of a journal article chosen by the instructor to the class.
Grades are based on attendance and presentation of a journal article.
