Healthy Ageing and Disease (U02572)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : BMS-4-MEageing

This course will focus on the biological mechanisms of ageing, the ageing process as it affects specific body systems and tissues, and the prospects for controlling or mitigating ageing, and will address the economic as well as individual welfare consequences of an ageing population.

The objectives are: to consider some of the changes in the body that are part of the healthy ageing process, and how these can be affected by some of the diseases which characterise the aged. The processes in normal ageing and how studies on model systems have clarified processes involved will be considered. Ageing of the human body will be characterised at the level of systems: in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, including changes following the menopause (e.g. osteoporosis); in brain function; in competence of the immune system; and in activity of endocrine systems, including effects on metabolism. There will be critical discussion of: the use of HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy); some common diseases of the aged, their causes and prevention or control, including osteoarthritis, diabetes, cancer, infection and degenerative brain disorders (e.g. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease).

Teaching methods: The course will include lectures and seminars covering core aspects of the subject. Students will be organised into small teams and give oral presentation focused on a selected topic.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

? Pre-requisites : Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer

? Co-requisites : Recommended, any of: Physiology 3 Reproductive Biology 3 Immunology 3 Molecular Cell Biology 3 Brain and Behaviour 3 Pharmacology 3 Practical Skills in the Biomedical Sciences 3

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Medical Biology (Biomedical Sciences), (School of Biomedical Sciences, Schedule T)

Other subject areas

Medical Biology (Biological Sciences), (School of Biological Sciences, Schedule K)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 4 hour(s) per week for 6 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
07/01/2008	09:30	:			Biomedical Seminar Room 4

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	09:30	10:50	Central
Lecture	Thursday	09:30	10:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Understanding, and ability to communicate the importance of the dimension of ageing in normal function and in susceptibility to particular diseases, and of possible underlying mechanisms. Ability to identify areas of ignorance and prospects for rational amelioration and ageing effects.