FIM 2202 FIM- BEHAVIORAL HLTH & NEURMED
The Behavioral Health and Neuromedicine section of Frontiers in Medicine (FIM 2202) provides an opportunity for senior medical students to rigorously explore connections between basic neuroscience, clinical research, and the diagnosis and treatment of human brain disease, with a heavy emphasis on understanding the primary literature. Students will investigate these connections across three levels of brain function (molecules, circuits, and structure) to explore cutting edge aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases. To investigate the brain at the molecular level, students will specifically examine the role of NMDA receptors in disease and treatment by working from NMDA structure and physiology to the role of this receptor in schizophrenia and autoimmune encephalopathy and the therapeutic use of esketamine for treatment-resistant depression. To gain insight into the brain at the level of circuits, we will explore seizures as both disease and treatment, examining the pathology and treatment of epilepsy as well as psychogenic non-epileptic seizures and the role of marijuana derivatives in the treatment of seizures. This section of the course also explores the use of neurostimulation, including ECT, TMS, MST, and DBS in psychiatry and neurology. To examine the brain at the structural level, we will investigate the biological mechanisms of trauma, recovery, and resilience, using both the psychiatric (adverse childhood events, abuse, etc) and neurological definitions (concussion, TBI) of the word trauma. This course is designed for students interested in brain related fields, particularly neurology and psychiatry, though the course is appropriate for students with an interest in neuroscience regardless of clinical field. Course sessions will also focus on the conduct of clinical research, including understanding the different roles of phase 1-3 trials, an overview of the FDA approval process, and conflicts of interest in clinical research. In addition to gaining knowledge on the studied topics, students will gain an appreciation for the manner in which clinical researchers approach the study of brain diseases. Students will gain abilities in analyzing the scientific and medical literature and integrating and translating this knowledge into patient care. This interactive course will utilize multiple active learning formats, including problem based learning, journal club, case discussions, and lectures. Gaining an appreciation for the cross disciplinary aspects of caring for patients with brain illnesses will be emphasized, and students will practice interdisciplinary collegiality through course activities. Students are expected to attend all synchronous and asynchronous sessions and to complete all assigned readings prior to class sessions.
Prerequisite
Must be a 4th year Medical Student