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

Obesity is a global health problem that is still escalating, and a problem that currently lacks effective remedies. The aims of this course are: To understand the neural mechanisms involved in regulation of body composition, including the neural mechanisms and pathways that regulate appetite; In particular, to understand the experimental evidence that has identified the hypothalamic and brainstem circuits involved in regulating energy intake and energy utilisation; and to understand the experimental evidence that relates to the actions of leptin, ghrelin, glucose, and insulin on the brain.

To understand current theories of the underlying causes of obesity.

To understand how basic biomedical research (including human genetics, physiology, pharmacology, and molecular approaches to the study of function) contributes to the search for new treatments for obesity.
Teaching methods: Seminars and tutorials with researchers active in the field of obesity research. Student tasks will involve library investigations of relevant themes, and students will prepare group presentations on these themes. Students will be expected to research topics independently by studies of current scientific literature, and in groups to contribute actively to group discussions and tutorials. They will be expected to analyse the scientific literature critically, and draw conclusions independently.

? This course is not available to visting students.

? Pre-requisites : Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer.

? Co-requisites : Physiology 3 is recommended.

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)

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) 45 minutes per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date Start End Room Area Additional Information 23/09/2008 14:00 16:00 Seminar Room 7 - Medical School (Teviot Place)

All of the following classes

Type Day Start End Area Lecture Tuesday 14:00 15:50 Central

Increased understanding of biological processes.
Detailed learning outcomes will be provided later.

December Exam 100% Written Examination Duration 1 hr 30 mins

Exam times

Diet Diet Month Paper Code Paper Name Length 1ST December 1 - 1 hour(s) 30 minutes

The Course Secretary should be the first point of contact for all enquiries.

Course Secretary

Ms Pascal Lynch
Tel : (0131 6)50 3289
Email : Pascal.Lynch@ed.ac.uk

Course Organiser

Prof Gareth Leng
Tel : (0131 6)50 2869
Email : Gareth.Leng@ed.ac.uk

School Website : http://www.dbcls.med.ed.ac.uk/

College Website : http://www.mvm.ed.ac.uk/