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Convenors: Dr Matilde Laura
This short course gives an introduction to the anatomy and development of the peripheral nervous system and its physiology and function. It also gives an overview of clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment options as well as updates on ongoing clinical and basic research trends in peripheral nerve diseases. Formal lectures are supplemented by masterclasses on how to utilize and interpret techniques in histopathology, electrophysiology and live imaging (MRI) for diagnosis and clinical trials.
Date of course: TBC
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course participants will understand the anatomy, development and functional characteristics of the peripheral nervous system.
Course participants will be able to describe and explain the clinical presentation of the several conditions affecting the peripheral nervous system.
Participants will be able to understand and interpret neurophysiological and neuropathological assessments in peripheral neuropathies. Through practical demonstrations, they will be able to recognise diagnostic criteria using tissue histology and clinical assessment data.
Lay summary writing task
To supplement our programme with practical skills related to the theory taught in the course, we set a lay writing task for our participants. This task is useful for grant applications and public engagement as well as for communication with patients for clinicians. Attendees will participate in a workshop giving guidance on the principles of writing lay summaries. As part of the assessment, if course attendees wish to take the exam, they will need to submit a lay summary of a peer reviewed scientific or clinical publication chosen by lecturers.
Examples of lecture topics
- Embryonic development and pathfinding of peripheral nerves (Andrew Stoker)
- Biology of Schwann cells (Kristjan Jessen)
- Nerve injury and regeneration (Kristjan Jessen)
- Nerve biopsies and hitopathology (Sebastian Brandner)
- Biophysical properties of peripheral axons (Roope Mannikko)
- Diabetic and small fibre neuropathies (Anupam Ahattacharjee)
- Acute inflammatory neuropathies (Jeremy Radcliffe)
- Chronic inflammatory neuropathies (Mike Lunn)
