Nutrition, Brain Development and Cognition

Uitgebreide vaknaam	Nutrition, Brain Development and Cognition
Leerdoelen	At the end of the course, the student is able to: 1. Explain the importance of nutrition during development, healthy aging, during brain disease, and in relation to cognition; 2. Select appropriate literature to compose a grant proposal addressing novel scientific research questions and hypothesis; 3. Critically judge, and debate grant proposals; 4. Design and perform an experiment with emphasis on food on female reproductive behaviour; 5. Analyse and evaluate the obtained data and results from their own experiments.
Omschrijving	The major incentive of the Nutrition, Brain Development and Cognition course is getting acquainted with the aspects of nutrition in brain development and cognitive functioning, in relation to health and general neuroscience aspects. The Lectures include: 1) Basic principles of brain development (2 HC) (Olivier) 2) Basic principles of cognition (2 HC) (Havekes) 3) Nutritional influences on epigenetic alterations in the placenta (2 HC) (Plösch, UMCG) 4) Early-life programming of cognitive function and the role of nutrition (2 HC) (Korosi/Olivier, UvA) 5) Nutrition and Alzheimer disease (2 HC) (vd Zee) 6) Sleep and nutrition (2 HC) (Havekes) 7) Healthy aging and nutrition (2 HC) (vd Zee) 8) Effects of meals on cognition (1HC) (vd Zee) 9) Modulation of amino acids-deficient diets (1 HC) (vd Zee) 10) Role of Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in brain and cognitive function (2 HC) (Olivier) 11) Micronutritions in the brain (2 HC) (Havekes) Aside from lectures, students will write in small groups (max 4 students) a grant application. This includes an introduction (explaining the state of art), description of experiments, innovative aspects, and the social impact. The students will present their application to a broader audience of other students. One proposal will be picked to receive the grant, therefore all students will present and defend their proposal in a debate-style setting. After a short explanation a debate will take place, and students are required to ask critical questions to each other. Students will also prepare and conduct an experiment in Drosophila melanogaster. Because of the nutritional cost of reproduction, different kinds of food (selected by the students) is assessed for their influence on female sexual receptivity. To achieve this, students have to read literature and prepare a hypothesis driven experiment based on literature. The results of the experiment need to be analyzed, described in a report and presented to a larger audience
Uren per week
Onderwijsvorm	Hoorcollege (LC), Practisch werk (PRC), Werkcollege (T) (Self Study (20hrs), LC (20hrs), T (50hrs), PRC (50hrs);Attendance for the labs and meetings related to the labs are mandatory. Students are required to attend the presentations of the grant proposals. Missing labs or not attending these presentations could lead to a failure to pass the course.)
Toetsvorm	Practisch werk (PR), Presentatie (P), Schriftelijk tentamen (WE), Verslag (R) (WE (50%), R (30% + 5%), P (10), PR (5%);The presentation of the grant application will be graded by peers (50%) and teachers (50%). To pass the course a grade of at least 5.5 for each item (exam, grant writing, report writing, and presenting) is required)
Vaksoort	master
Coördinator	prof. dr. R. Havekes
Docent(en)	prof. dr. R. Havekes ,prof. dr. J.D.A. Olivier ,prof. dr. T. Plosch ,prof. dr. E.A. van der Zee
Verplichte literatuur	Titel Auteur ISBN Prijs Nutritional Neuroscience Extensive information is available on Brightspace
Entreevoorwaarden	The course unit assumes prior knowledge acquired from Biology or Life Science-oriented programs. The course unit is often followed by, or prepares students for, Advanced Metabolism & nutrition, Neurobiology of Nutrition and in Nutrition in Medicine in which the learning objectives attained are required as prior knowledge. It does require the understanding of basic neurobiology.
Opmerkingen	Maximum: 50 students. This is a MSc Biomedical Sciences course unit: see student portal for priority regulations in place.
Opgenomen in	Opleiding Jaar Periode Type MSc Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences: Behavioural Neurosciences  (Electives: courses from other programmes) 2 semester I b keuze MSc Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences: Cognitive Neuroscience & Modelling  (Electives: courses from other programmes) 2 semester I b keuze MSc Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences: Molecular & Clinical Neurosciences  (Electives: courses from other programmes) 2 semester I b keuze MSc Biomedical Sciences: Biology of Ageing  (Electives (10 ECTS)) - semester I b keuze MSc Biomedical Sciences: Biology of Cancer and Immune System  (Electives ) - semester I b keuze MSc Biomedical Sciences: Biology of Food and Nutrition  ( Masters Courses) - semester I b keuzegroep MSc Biomedical Sciences: Neuroscience  ( Masters Courses) - semester I b keuzegroep MSc Biomedical Sciences: Research  (Electives) - semester I b keuze MSc Biomedical Sciences: Science, Business and Policy  (Electives (10 ECTS)) - semester I b keuze