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The Developing Brain- Period 2
STEM in Amsterdam Program
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Dates: mid Aug 2025 - late Dec 2025
The Developing Brain- Period 2
OVERVIEW
CEA CAPA Partner Institution: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Primary Subject Area: Neuroscience
Instruction in: English
Course Code: AB_1059
Transcript Source: Partner Institution
Course Details: Level 300
Recommended Semester Credits: 3
Contact Hours: 84
Prerequisites: This course is part of the minor Brain and Mind. A basic understanding of neurons, neurophysiology and molecular biology (DNA and proteins) is required. For this, we recommend to follow the courses 'Cognitive Neuroscience' and 'Nature versus Nurture' of this minor.
DESCRIPTION
The brain performs differently at various ages; the young brain being very plastic, whereas the aging brain is gradually losing its adaptive capacity. Importantly, early and late brain development are affected by specific genetic factors and vulnerable to changes induced by environmental stimuli. These alterations can result in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.
The course consists of three modules (one week per module), each covering a critical phase of brain development. In module 1, we will focus on early (prenatal) brain development and its relation to brain disorders such as autism and intellectual disability (amongst other disorders). In the second module, we will focus on postnatal brain development during childhood and adolescence and discuss issues related to this phase of development, such as gender identity, schizophrenia and the effects of drugs of abuse (alcohol, nicotine). In the last module, we will discuss cognitive decline associated with normal brain aging as well as specific diseases of aging, such as Alzheimer?s and Parkinson's disease. Notably, each module contains a keynote lecture related to the topic of the module. Keynote lectures are given by invited guest lecturers who are renowned experts in their fields. Attendance at keynote lectures is mandatory.
Contact hours listed under a course description may vary due to the combination of lecture-based and independent work required for each course therefore, CEA's recommended credits are based on the ECTS credits assigned by VU Amsterdam. 1 ECTS equals 28 contact hours assigned by VU Amsterdam.
Course includes lab component.
The course consists of three modules (one week per module), each covering a critical phase of brain development. In module 1, we will focus on early (prenatal) brain development and its relation to brain disorders such as autism and intellectual disability (amongst other disorders). In the second module, we will focus on postnatal brain development during childhood and adolescence and discuss issues related to this phase of development, such as gender identity, schizophrenia and the effects of drugs of abuse (alcohol, nicotine). In the last module, we will discuss cognitive decline associated with normal brain aging as well as specific diseases of aging, such as Alzheimer?s and Parkinson's disease. Notably, each module contains a keynote lecture related to the topic of the module. Keynote lectures are given by invited guest lecturers who are renowned experts in their fields. Attendance at keynote lectures is mandatory.
Contact hours listed under a course description may vary due to the combination of lecture-based and independent work required for each course therefore, CEA's recommended credits are based on the ECTS credits assigned by VU Amsterdam. 1 ECTS equals 28 contact hours assigned by VU Amsterdam.
Course includes lab component.