MSc Neuroimaging for Clinical & Cognitive Neuroscience / Course details

The unit will describe a series of studies using functional neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, PET and EEG) to explore questions in clinical and behavioural neuroscience.

Current research will be explored with the aim of providing an accurate view of the current ability of these techniques to address clinically significant issues and the future potential of the techniques with respect to clinical research questions.

Methodological factors particular to dealing with clinical populations and/or those displaying behavioural deficits will be addressed.

The course will provide students with the background needed to be able to develop and design an appropriate experiment that will ask appropriate clinical questions while having a solid understanding of the current limitations of these techniques within the clinical arena.

• Provide students with a broad background into the ways in which fMRI, PET and EEG/ERP have been used to address clinical and behavioural questions in neuroscience through examples concerning disorders such as dementia, depression, stroke and pain.
• Provide a current and future perspective on the clinical and behavioural applications of neuroimaging techniques.

By the end of this course unit, students will:

• have a detailed understanding of how fMRI, PET and EEG/ERP have been used to explore clinical and behavioural neuroscience;
• understand how questions asked with functional neuroimaging can address clinically and behaviourally relevant issues;
• understand the limitations and methodological requirements of the functional neuroimaging of clinical populations;
• be able to evaluate published research;
• be able to critically evaluate the potential of different techniques to address specific clinical questions.

This unit is delivered via 12 x two-hour lectures across six weeks, incorporating discussion sessions. Teaching will be complemented by the availability of notes, slides and recommended reading.