Title:  Molecules and Circuits Underlying Neurodegenerative Diseases (CSB1020H, LEC0151)

Instructor(s):  Dr. Joanne E. Nash and Dr. Kathlyn Gan

Schedule of Module Offered: Initially this course will be offered in Summer 2024, from mid-May through June.  In the future, this course will be offered bi-annually in the winter semester.

Weekly Schedule: 3 hours / week. Day and time TBA.

Course Duration: 6 weeks + 1 hour to organize the course

Enrollment: Limited to 8 students

Location: This course will be held at UTSC and will also be hybrid.

Description:  This course is designed for graduate students to get a solid foundation in the molecules and circuits underlying ischemic stroke, and the following neurodegenerative diseases: Parkinson’s disease and other synucleopathies, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Huntington’s disease and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We will also discuss the current and potential future therapeutic strategies for these neurological disorders.

Format: In order to enhance the discussions, faculty and staff (graduate and under graduate students, post-docs) will also be invited to attend the class (these attendees will not be evaluated).

Dr. Nash will give a 20 minute introduction, followed by two 40 minute student presentations on seminal research articles chosen by Dr. Nash. These presentations will be followed by an in-depth discussion of the articles and their relevance to the field. In order to help lead the discussions, two readers will be assigned to each article.

Evaluation: 

  • One – two oral seminar presentations (each 40 mins) = 35% (assessed by Dr. Nash). The number of presentations will depend on enrolment.
  • A written “News and Views” style commentary based on the research articles presented = 35% (assessed by Dr. Nash).
  • Leading discussion and asking questions. A rubric will be provided. = 20%

Class Participation – assessed by attendance and contribution to general discussions (10%)

Last updated on August 9th, 2024