Duration
60h Th
Number of credits
| Master in psychology (120 ECTS) | 6 crédits |
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Lectures (30h).
This course begins with the presentation of the classifications of the main cognitive and behavioural animal models and with the explanation of the notions of validity, analogy and homology used in the assessment and the improvement of these models (E. Tirelli).
It will continue with an overview of the main behavioral and cognitive tests - functional animal models - used in fundamental or preclinical research. Some of them will be detailed : motor functions, sensation, learning and memory (A. Ferrara).
It also will concern the detailed presentation of representative animal models of alcohol abuse (E. Quertemont) as well as of a cerebral pathology (integrative animal model - A. Ferrara); valididy and translational research notions will be put forward.
Report (30h).
The student will have to handle with a functional or integrative animal model such as one of the followings:
- Motor and sensory functions.
- Learning and conditioning.
- Memory and memory phases.
- Pain (algology).
- Perception.
- Eating behaviours (hunger and thirst).
- Reproductive behaviour (sexual and parental).
- Social behaviours (adult or infant/juvenile).
- Addictions (except alcoholism).
- Stress and stressors.
- Genetic syndromes with mental deficits.
- Fetal and neonatal behaviours.
- Postnatal cognitive and neurobehavioural ontogeny.
- Behavioural and cognitive (non-pathological) ageing.
- Neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson, Alzheimer, Huntington, ...).
- Developmental disorders (autism, ...).
- Behavioural and cognitive effects of brain lesions (except cerebral ischemia).
- Mood disorders (anxiety, depression, ...).
- Schizophrenia and hallucinations.
- Interactions between genotype and environment (variables typically involved).
The report dealing with a functional animal model will aim at presenting various tests used for the assessment of the same function (for example, the inhibitory control and impulsivity, motivation, attention, working memory, ...) by insisting on the definition of the function, the comparison to the same function in man, the good understanding and description of the tests (procedures, behavioral measures, ...), important factors which allocate the performance to the test, the question of the validity and of translational research, etc.
The report dealing with an integrative animal model will aim for example at presenting a battery of tests used within the framework of the assessment of the animal model of a human pathology (for example, neurodegenerative pathology or developpement disorder) by insisting on the definition of the pathology, the presentation of the symptoms which accompany it, the comparison of the pathology induced in the animal to the human pathology, the good understanding and the description of the tests used (procedures, behavioral measures, ...), the question of the validity of the test battery, etc.
The report (20-25 pages) will be based on the reading of several scientific articles including at least one recent review (if possible) as well as of several empirical or methodological articles.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Understanding the determinant role of the cognitive and behavioural animal models (without neglecting their limitations and drawbacks) relatively to psychology, neurosciences and preclinical research.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
None.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Analysis of scientific texts and written report. Active participation to the seminar.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Individual written report.
Recommended or required readings
PDF files on myULiège ; main articles provided by the teacher for the lectures and/or bibliographical references to find by the student for the personnal work.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
Written work / report
Additional information:
The final grade is based on a written exam and a report. The student must obtain a minimum mark of 5/10 in each part. If one part is failed, the final grade will be the deficiency grade. If both parts are failed, the final mark will be the average of the deficient marks. If both parts are passed, the final mark will be the average of the two marks. In the second session, the student must re-submit the deficient part(s).
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
The report must be submitted on the day of the written examination or on a date agreed with the teacher supervising the report.
See eCampus for further information.
Contacts
a.ferrara@uliege.be (tél.: +32 4 366 22 32).
equertemont@uliege.be (tél : +32 4 366 21 05).
ezio.tirelli@uliege.be (tél: +32 4 366 20 18).