Courses and Education
Courses and Education related to WCMTM.
Biomarkers for Neurodegenerative Diseases
MAY 24 - 28, 2021
We are excited to announce the third edition at University of Gothenburg (UGOT), again in collaboration with the UCL Dementia Research Centre. Aimed at PhD level and beyond, this detailed and comprehensive five-day course will feature many leading names in biomarker research (see below). We look forward to welcoming delegates from around the world for this unique educational and networking opportunity.
The first two “Biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases” courses took place April 2018 at the University of Gothenburg (UGOT) and April 2019 at University College London (UCL).
Biomarkers are increasingly required for effective research into neurodegenerative diseases. They are critical for diagnosis, disease monitoring and will be key for measuring target engagement of disease modifying therapies.
PhD students working in the field of neurodegeneration require a working knowledge of a range of biomarkers to correctly interpret scientific literature and to design and conduct successful and ambitious research studies.
The University of Gothenburg and University College London are leading international centres with complementary expertise in fluid and imaging biomarkers. This collaboration would be expected to strengthen the quality of biomarker training across both institutions and beyond, as well as fostering new research collaborations and providing delegates with outstanding networking opportunities.
Contact:
For any queries about the course please contact the course leaders or Mrs Eva Bringman (UGOT) or Ms Ayesha Khatun (UCL).
Information about previous courses
Course direction
Michael Schöll is Associate Professor at the Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine at the University of Gothenburg and Principal Research Fellow at UCL Institute of Neurology.
Ross Paterson is Clinical Lecturer at UCL Institute of Neurology.
Course content
The aims will be to provide basic and practical knowledge of fluid and brain imaging-based biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases. Participants will be expected to achieve a broad understanding of the following advanced brain imaging and neurochemistry technologies used as research and clinical tools in neurodegenerative diseases:
- Neurochemistry (liquid-based biomarkers):
- Biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid
- Biomarkers in blood
- Structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Positron emission tomography (PET)
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student is expected to be able to:
- Explain basic concepts in image-based and fluid-based biomarker research.
- Describe how different biomarkers relate to each other in a temporal, pathogenic, and regional (anatomical) context of different neurodegenerative diseases.
- Conduct the planning of a project within their own research area where the use of the discussed biomarkers is described.
- Use basic tools to evaluate biomarker data
- Interpret biomarker profiles in different neurodegenerative diseases.
- Understand when particular biomarkers/methods can & cannot be applied
- Analyze the predictive value of the respective biomarkers in different conditions.
Previous Feedback
UGOT and UCL administered the “Biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases” in 2018 and 2019 with excellent feedback.
- “Every lecture was interesting, and I wouldn’t change a thing in this context. I had a great time, learnt a lot during the course and would recommend it to everybody in the field!”
- “The course was fantastic and even topped my already high expectations!”
- “All content was highly relevant, well-communicated and varied - the incredible hospitality was a very welcome bonus.”
- "This course was very well organized and executed. The excellent content was delivered by frontrunners in the field from both Sweden and elsewhere. The atmosphere of the course was welcoming and relaxed yet conducive to good discussions. I would definitely recommend this to any PhD student colleagues who are studying neurodegeneration”
- “The course was a big hit!”