Syllabus NSC 4374 SPRING 2010 1

SYLLABUS

NSC 4374-001 NEURAL PLASTICITY AND DISORDERS OF THE NERVOUS

SYSTEM

SPRING 2010

Instructor: Aage R. Møller PhD

E-mail: AMOLLER@UTDALLAS.EDU

Class schedule: Main Campus:

January 12, 2010, SOM 2.714
Tuesday and Thursday 11:30-12:45

Class text: Aage R. Møller: Neural Plasticity and Disorders of the Nervous system,
Cambridge University Press, 2006 ISBN 0-521-84667-6
Note: This book will be provided by the Instructor to a discounted price

Supplementary readings:

Brodal P. The Central Nervous System 3nd ed

New York, Oxford University Press, 2004 ISBN 0-19-516560-8

Grading:
1. Midterm Exam February 25: Covers the first section to February 25
2. Final Exam April 29
Results of midterm and final exam will count equally to the final grade.
Course purpose: The purpose of this class is to develop an understanding of the
anatomical and functional basis for disorders of the peripheral and central nervous
system, including pain. The course will include reading assignments from a book.
 Syllabus NSC 4374 SPRING 2010 2

General objectives:

Students will:
1. Understand the anatomical and physiological basis for neural plasticity
2. Understand the anatomical and physiological basis for pathologies of
peripheral nerves.
3. Know the anatomy and physiology of sensory systems.
4. Understand the pathophysiology of sensory systems that is related to
expression of neural plasticity
5. Understand the organization of normal pain circuits and the physiology of
normal pain.
6. Understand the role of neural plasticity in creating central pain conditions.
7. Understand the basic principles of treatment of central pain conditions.
8. Know the anatomy and physiology of motor systems.
9. Understand disorders of motor systems that are related to expression of
neural plasticity
10. Understand the normal function of cranial nerves and their disorders.

Course layout
This is a systems oriented course that covers the pathophysiology of the nervous system
with emphasis on disorders where expression of neural plasticity play en important role.
The course also covers the basis for expression of neural plasticity and how
reorganization of the nervous system causes pain, tinnitus and paresthesia. The role of
the little known non-classical sensory pathways is discussed and hyperactivity of motor
systems is also covered. The organization of motor systems, pain circuits and sensory
system are also included in the course.
 Syllabus NSC 4374 SPRING 2010 3

OUTLINE

1/12/10 General organization of the nervous system

Peripheral nervous system
Central nervous system

1/14/10 Signs and symptoms of disorders of the nervous system

Peripheral nervous system
The central nervous system

1/21/10. Causes of signs and symptoms

Morphological changes
Metabolic changes
Chemical changes
1/28/10. Functional changes
Neural plasticity

DISORDERS ASSOCIATED WITH MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES

2/4/10.Causes of disorders of nerves

Trauma
Inflammation
Compression
Irritation of nerves
2/11/10. Injuries to peripheral nerves
Neurapraxia
Axonotmesis
Neurotmesis
2/16/10. Disorders of myelin
Multiple sclerosis
Tumors
 Syllabus NSC 4374 SPRING 2010 4

Slightly injured nerves peripheral nerve

Change in conduction velocity
Peripheral nerves as impulse generators

2/23/10. Cranial nerves

Injuries from surgical trauma
Vascular irritation

3/2/10. Disorders of sensory systems

General organization of sensory systems
Sensory organs
Receptors
Central nervous system

3/4/10. Hearing
Conductive and cochlear hearing loss
Injury of hair cells
3/11/10. Vision
Disorders of the light conducting apparatus
Retinal disorders
Somatosensory system
SPRING BREAK
3/23/10 Pain
a. Acute pain
3/25/10. Motor systems
Disorders of motoneurons
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Parkinson’s disease
Other motor dysfunction (Spasms etc)

DISORDERS THAT ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH MORPHOLOGICAL

 Syllabus NSC 4374 SPRING 2010 5

CHANGES

3/30/10 Neural plasticity

Reorganization for
a. compensating loss of function
b. adapting to changing demands
4/1/10 Neural plasticity as cause of symptoms and signs of
disease
4/6/10 Sensory systems
a. Vestibular disorders
b. Tinnitus
c. Paresthesia
4/8/10. Motor systems
a. Spasm (Hemifacial spasm)
b. Synkinesis
4/13/10. Pain
a. Neuropathic pain
b. Phantom pain
c. Anesthesia dolorosa
4/15/10. Trigeminal and glossopharyngeal neuralgia
4/20/10. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
4/22/10. Similarities between pain and tinnitus
4/27/10. Escapable and nonescapable pain.
Involvement of the hypothalamus
4/29/10. Final exam