Advanced Psychopathology

12 EC

Semester 1, period 1

5234ADP12Y

Owner Master Biomedical Sciences
Coordinator dr. A. Korosi
Part of Master Biomedical Sciences, track Psychopharmacology and Pathophysiology,

Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

Brain disorders form a heavy and increasing burden for society. They affect the essence of human functioning and an individual’s personality, often in a progressive manner. They thereby affect society as a whole and contribute largely to our healthcare budget.

Advances in genetics have helped to establish that it is an interaction of genetic make-up as well as (early) environmental factors that determine the vulnerability to neurodevelopmental, psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

 However, for many of these disorders, still too little is known about their pathophysiological mechanisms, the biological substrate and the role of the environment early in life, and during adulthood, in their onset. What are the unique developmental mechanisms by which early experiences can, positively and negatively, have long-term consequences for risk and resilience to brain disorders? As a result, treatment options are often limited with frequent side effects and recovery options are poor.

The main aim of this course is therefore to familiarize the student with the pharmacotherapy and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying common brain disorders including depression, anxiety disorders, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple sclerosis, addiction, epilepsy.

Study materials

Syllabus

  • Relevant review papers will be made available beforehand.

Objectives

  • describe and critically discuss the neurobiological substrate and etiology of some of the main human brain disorders,
  • describe and critically discuss basis and mechanism of action of the pharmacotherapy currently available
  • describe and critically discuss research trajectory that is followed to develop and test new drugs for these disorders, starting from basic research in animal models, up to how this is organized in the setting of a pharmaceutical company
  • summarize and relate existing research in predefined research area in order to identify and formulate a new reseacrh question that will bring the field forward.
  • communicate this in a written report.
  • explain and argue about a predefined research question in a concise form during a debate.
  • orally present and critically discuss a research paper both concerning the content and its methods.
  • propose innovative solutions for the future of pharmaceutical companies in the Netherlands.

Teaching methods

  • Seminars, guest speakers
  • Presentation by employees of a pharmaceutical company
  • Reading and discussing recent reviews
  • Student Presentations
  • Scientific debate
  • Written assignments
  • Seminars, guest speakers
  • Presentation by employees of a pharmaceutical company
  • Reading and discussing recent reviews
  • Student Presentations
  • Scientific debate
  • Written assignments

Learning activities

Activity

Number of hours

Hoorcollege

69

Tentamen

4

Werkcollege

62

Zelfstudie

201

Attendance

  • Some course components require compulsory attendance. If compulsory attendance applies, this will be indicated in the Course Catalogue which can be consulted via the UvA-website. The rationale for and implementation of this compulsory attendance may vary per course and, if applicable, is included in the Course Manual.

    • Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    1 (100%)

    Tentamen digitaal

    Assignments

    -A presentation and discussion of a research article, in pairs (10% of final grade)

    -Statement paper, in groups 4-5 (40% of final grade)

    -Debate, in pairs (15% if final grade)

    -Exam, individual (35%of final grade) digital exam

    -Career prospective assignment, individual(obligatory, not graded)

    Fraud and plagiarism

    The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

    Course structure

    Weeknummer Onderwerpen Studiestof
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8

    Additional information

    Maximum number of participants is 25. 

    Admission to the track and course will depend on the total number of applications, the average grade, the date of registration and background of the individual student. If the number of applications exceeds the capacity of the course, students may be selected and priority will be given based on the above, and in the following order,

    • first-year students of the track Psychopharmacology & Pathophysiology
    • second-year students of the track Psychopharmacology & Pathophysiology
    • Master students of the tracks Basic & Applied Neuroscience (BAN) or Cognitive Neurobiology & Clinical Neurophysiology (CN2) or Molecular Neuroscience (MNS).
    • master students of other programs

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • dr. A. Korosi