Neuroendocrinology

Module title	Neuroendocrinology
Module code	NEU3023
Academic year	2021/2
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Craig Beall (Convenor) Professor Kate Ellacott (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	25

Module description

In this module you will learn how the brain and endocrine system coordinate to regulate physiology and behaviour, and how these processes change in disease. You will learn how the brain regulates hormone secretion and how, in turn, the action of these hormones in the brain regulates biological processes essential for life such as eating, drinking, reproduction and growth. You will also learn how hormones influence related aspects of behaviour including stress, aggression, and parental nurturing.

This module is optional for students on the BSc Neuroscience, BSc (intercalated) Neuroscience programme. Students on the BSc Medical Sciences (Neuroscience pathway) may also take this module subject to capacity. The following modules are recommended: NEU1006 Introduction to Neuroscience (formerly CSC1006) and NEU2019 Neuropharmacology (formerly CSC2019). However, you may have covered similar material elsewhere. If you have not studied the preliminary content, you should be able to successfully complete this module by undertaking some additional study but should discuss this further with their Academic Tutor and the Module Convener.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module offers a broad grounding in how hormones acting in the brain influence all aspects of life. You will learn about classical neuroendocrine feedback loops: how the brain stimulates the production and release of hormones from endocrine organs and how these hormones acting in the brain, influence physiology, and regulate their own production. Through a combination of lectures and journal club seminars focused on primary research literature you will gain an appreciation of the fascinating integrative nature of neuroendocrinology and how, when these systems become dysfunctional, this can contribute to disease.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Identify the key neuroendocrine feedback loops
2. Explain the pharmacological mechanisms of hormone signalling in the CNS, illustrated using specific examples
3. Compare the mechanisms by which hormones can influence activity of neural cells and circuits in the brain
4. Examine how CNS mechanisms regulate hormone secretion
5. Give examples of how hormones act on neural pathways to differentially regulate physiology and behaviour
6. Describe how neuroendocrine mechanisms underlie differences in physiology and behaviour between the different sexes
7. Demonstrate understanding of the complexities of hormone action in the CNS, including the interplay between different neuroendocrine axes regulating physiology and behaviour
8. Illustrate how modern lifestyles influence physiology and behaviour via modulation of neuroendocrine systems
9. Explain neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying common diseases and disorders

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

10. Show a clear understanding of the principles behind good experimental design and data communication
11. Evaluate the specific challenges in data collection within the discipline of neuroendocrinology research

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

12. Synthesize, and critically evaluate, primary sources of information.
13. Exemplify critical thinking in the construction and analysis of written arguments
14. Produce clear scientific writing.

Syllabus plan

The module’s precise content will vary from year to year, but the following information gives a detailed description of the typical overall structure.

Lectures may be delivered in-person, online, or via pre-recorded videos. Interactive workshops and facilitated journal club discussions will take place live, in-person or online via a streaming platform e.g., Microsoft Teams.

The module begins with an introductory lecture in week 1 to outline the broad aims and structure of the module and introduce the assessments. In week 1 you will also have a two-hour interactive scientific writing workshop to help you develop the skills needed for your coursework assignment.

Over the next 10-weeks, at the beginning of each week a key topic in neuroendocrinology will be introduced to you in a one-hour lecture. Background material will be presented, and molecular mechanisms and physiological effects discussed. Examples of topics that may be covered include:

CNS regulation of hormone secretion
Pharmacological mode of action(s) of hormones
Food intake and appetite
Blood glucose
Thirst and salt-balance
Blood pressure
Growth
Stress
Body clock
Puberty
Sex
Pregnancy
Labour, lactation, and maternal behaviour
Neuroendocrine tumours

Every week you will also have a two-hour journal club in which the discussion of a related primary research paper is facilitated by a specialist academic who will give an introduction to the paper at the beginning of the session. During the module you will write a “News and Views” style commentary article about a primary research paper selected from a list of available options. This article will form part of the module assessment. To help you prepare you will have a two-hour interactive group tutorial with the academic who selected the paper that will be the focus of your “News and Views” style commentary.

At the end of the module, you will be assessed on the content of the lectures and journal club sessions in a final written exam made up of short answer and data interpretation questions. In the final week of the module there is a one-hour session giving exam information and preparation support.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
36	114	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	12	Lectures (12 x 1 hour)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	20	Interactive journal club sessions (10 x 2 hour)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	2	Scientific writing workshop
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	2	News and Views assessment preparation tutorial
Guided Independent Study	30	Literature searches, reading and preparation for journal club sessions.
Guided Independent Study	14	Preparation for assessed News and views style summary of a primary research paper
Guided Independent Study	70	Reading and preparation for lectures and exam

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Participation in tutorial to discuss development of News and views article assessment	2 hours	1-14	Oral
Online Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)	3-5 questions/lecture	1-9	Online answers
Online practice short-answer questions (SAQ) and data interpretation questions	5 questions online with model answers	1-9, 10, 12, 14	Model answers

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
40	60	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Short answer question and data interpretation exam	60	2 hours	1-10, 12,14	Verbal (on request) from module lead
News and views style summary of a primary research paper	40	1000 words	1-14	Written

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Short answer question and data interpretation exam (60%)	Short answer question and data interpretation exam (2 hours)	1-9, 10, 12, 14	Ref/Def period
News and views style summary of a primary research paper (40%)	News and views style summary of a primary research paper (1000 words)	1-14	Ref/Def period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Williams Textbook of Endocrinology, 13th edition – Melmed, Polonsky, Larsen and Kronenberg ISBN-13: 978-0323297387

Chapter 7 – Neuroendocrinology
Section V – Reproduction
Section VI – Endocrinology and the life span
Chapter 33 – Glucose homeostasis and hypoglycemia
Chapter 34 – Neuroendocrine control of energy stores

Writing for Science Students – Boyle & Ramsey ISBN-13: 978-1137571519

Chapter 10 – Being Critical
Chapter 11 – Producing a draft and building your argument
Chapter 12 – Sounding like a scientist
Chapter 13 - Say exactly what you mean

Key words search

Brain, Physiology, Neuroscience, Endocrinology, Hormone

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	6
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	07/01/18
Last revision date	11/01/21