How the Brain Works and What Can Go Wrong

About

The brain is an amazing object which controls human lives – it is a complex inter-connection of neurons which store our memories and knowledge and has a complex chemistry.

However, our brains can sometimes go wrong – either because there is something wrong with our genetics or brain chemistry or due to some injury to the brain and central nervous system at some point in our life.

Brain dysfunction can have a major impact upon an individual’s ability to live and interact within their environment, depending on where the injury or dysfunction occurs.

The brain is also affected by the environment and many genetic vulnerabilities in individuals do not necessarily result in dysfunction unless there is a maladaptive or threatening environment, e.g. schizophrenia.

This module will look at what we know about healthy brains – how they are structured, the different types of brain cells, localisation of function and neurochemistry of different brain areas, communication within the brain and how we investigate the brain.

UCL is ranked as second in the world for neuroscience and you will hear about the amazing world-class research that takes place within the Faculty of Brain Sciences and its constituent parts: the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, the Division of Psychiatry, the Institutes of Ophthalmology and Neurology and the Ear Institute.

Week one
How the brain works: structure, function and localisation and neurochemistry
How do we investigate the brain?
Developmental and acquired disorders of vision and visual perception
Developmental and acquired disorders of hearing and speech

Week two
Developmental and acquired disorders of movement: e.g. Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis
Developmental and acquired disorders of memory: e.g. the dementias

Week three
Developmental and acquired disorders of emotion and socialisation
Mental health problems in adults e.g. depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder
Mental health problems in childhood and adolescence e.g. autism, eating disorders

Course leader

Dr Julie Evans

Course aim

This module aims to:

- Give you an overview of healthy brain structure and function, localisation of function, how this relates to human activity and behaviour, and the recent advances in technology that allow us to study the brain in health and dysfunction.
- Examine specific areas where developmental or acquired brain disorders have resulted in identifiable conditions and health issues, outlining symptoms, causes, treatment and the impact on individuals’ lives.
- Use population and incidence data alongside detailed case studies to illustrate the study of brain health and dysfunction.

Fee info