Admission requirements
Thorough basic knowledge of principles of neuroscience is essential; successful completion of the second year course “Introduction in the Neuroscience”, or a similar course is mandatory.
Successful completion of How to write a research proposal is strongly recommended.
Description
Period: 18 November 2024 - 13 December 2024
Modern imaging technologies are indispensable for medical research and clinical diagnosis and treatment of most disease processes. Currently, a wide array of imaging modalities is available for studies of humans and animals, including x-ray technology and computer tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine (e.g. PET) and optical imaging.
This course has two objectives. The first objective is to provide a thorough understanding of the physical principles underlying these technologies. This theory is essential in order to understand why a specific technique may be the most appropriate choice for a clinical or research question, and to appreciate novel developments in imaging technologies.
The second goal is to highlight current research and clinical applications of modern imaging modalities in neuroscience, both for routine clinical care and for advanced research applications. Topics will e.g. cover functional MRI for cognitive neuroscience, advanced ultra-high and ultra-low field MRI, the latest developments in PET technologies, but also the use of imaging in clinical care settings such as dementia and neurovascular disease. Lastly, we will also cover the use of neuroimaging in pre-clinical and basic neuroscience research, e.g. in rodent models.
Practically, students will attend lectures and read selected papers on each lecture topic. You will collate information gained in small groups, prepare quizzes and presentations to help process the concepts. Additionally, there are several lab visits where you will get demonstrations of the imaging techniques.
You will also work on several assignments, both in a workgroup setting and individually. The first assignment is a critical appraisal of neuroimaging literature on different topics, which has to be presented in discussion sessions. For the following assignments you will be provided with actual research data and background information and be asked to formulate a research hypothesis, to design an analysis strategy to test this hypothesis, to perform the proposed analysis and to report on the outcome with a poster presentation and a written report.
Course objectives
The student:
has an understanding of the theoretical background of neuroimaging techniques
has an understanding of the most common applications for different neuroimaging techniques
has an understanding of emerging neuroimaging technologies
can utilize this knowledge to critically assess a chosen topic in an oral presentation
can convey this knowledge and views to the other students
can collaborate with peers during assignments
can use acquired knowledge to formulate a research hypothesis and perform a small research project
can implement acquired knowledge in the design of an poster presentation about a chosen subject
can present the poster and hold a scientific discussion on the presented research
Timetable
All course and group schedules are published on MyTimeTable.
The exam dates have been determined by the Education Board and are published in MyTimeTable.
It will be announced in MyTimeTable and/or Brightspace when and how the post-exam feedback will be organized.
Mode of instruction
Lectures, group work, self study assignments, demos, research project.
Assessment method
Lectures & practicals (30 hours, pass/fail)
Self-study (30 hours)
Assignment 1: Neuroimaging in society (8 hours, 15% grade)
Assignment 2: Recaps: Turn the classroom (14 hours, pass/fail)
Assignment 3a: Neuroimaging in dementia Symposium (20 hours, 20% grade)
Assignment 3: Neuroimaging in dementia research design (16 hours, 25% grade)
Assignment 4: Research project & poster presentation (50 hours, 40% grade)
Reading list
Will be distributed during the course.
Registration
Registration for FOS courses, H2W, Scientific Conduct, Course on Lab Animal Sciences and CRiP takes place in lottery rounds in the beginning of July. After the lottery rounds: if you want to register for a course you are kindly asked to contact the student administration at masterbms-courses@lumc.nl.