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: 24 October 2022 - 18 November 2022
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 field MRI, the latest developments in PET technologies, but also the use of imaging in clinical care settings such as dementia and neurovascular disease.
Practically, students will attend lectures and read selected papers on each lecture topic. You will collate information gained in small groups, and prepare quizes 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 two assignmenta are critical appraisals of neuroimaging literature on different topics, which have to be presented in discussion sessions and in a writer paper. 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 overall understanding of the theoretical and practical background of neuroimaging
has an understanding of the different techniques used for neuroimaging
can utilize this knowledge to critically assess a chosen topic
in a written paper
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 our LUMC scheduling website or on the LUMC scheduling app.
Mode of instruction
Lectures, group work, self study assignments, demos, research project.
Assessment method
TASKS Form Study load (hours) Weight Group
Lectures & demos Attend 30 pass/fail no
Read study materials Study 40 no
Assignment 1: Neuroimaging in society Presentation (PDF) 8 10% yes
Assignment 1: Neuroimaging in society Editorial (Word / PDF) 8 15% no
Assignment 2: Recap MRI Turn the classroom 4 yes
Assignment 3: Neuroimaging in COVID-19 Presentation (PDF) 12 15% yes
Assignment 3: Neuroimaging in COVID-19 Study design (Word/PDF) 8 20% no
Assignment 4: Rating of neuroimaging data Poster & discussion (PDF) 40 40% yes
Quizes Quiz questions / recap 10 pass/fail yes
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.