BME 7610: The Pathophysiology of Pain

Winter, 2001

Section No: 26485

Time: 3:30 - 6:30 Mondays

Room: 2232 Bioengineering Center

Instructor: John Cavanaugh

Office location: Room 2206, Bioengineering Center

Phone number: 313-577-3916

E-mail address: cavanau@rrb.eng.wayne.edu

Web page: http://ttb.eng.wayne.edu/~cavanau/jmcweb.html

Office Hours: By appointment 

Course objectives: Pain is a symptom common to many of the bone, joint and muscle disorders studied in the bioengineering disciplines and is a debilitating sequel to injury and a major focus of rehabilitation. This course will focus on the physiology and anatomy of pain from nerve endings in peripheral tissue to synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. Pain of various origins, including the spine, hip, knee and muscle will be studied. Treatment and psychological aspects of pain will also be discussed. The specific objectives of this course are for the student to attain the following:

1.An understanding of the structure and function of nerve cells.

2.An overall understanding of the organization of the nervous system

2. An overall understanding of the physiology of sensory systems. 

3.An understanding of the mechanisms of pain perception (nociception). 

4.An understanding of peripheral sensitization and central sensitization.

5.An understanding of the difference between acute and chronic pain.

6.A working knowledge of pain pathways from the body to the brain.

7. A familiarity with the physiology and anatomy of joint and muscle pain.

8. A familiarity with the physiology and anatomy of neck and back pain.

9.A familiarity with the physiology and anatomy of visceral pain.

10. A familiarity with the physiology and anatomy of cutaneous pain.

11. A familiarity with the key psychological aspects of pain.

12. A familiarity with the various types of pharmacological treatments for pain.

13.A familiarity with the treatment of pain using TENS, massage, manipulation and other non-pharmacologic modalities.

14.An appreciation and awareness of the problem of pain in our society.

15.The ability to synthesize these objectives through classroom participation and two written examinations.

Course Prerequisites: BME 5010 (Engineering Physiology) or PSL 5550 (Physiologic Anatomy) or approval of instructor.

Student responsibilities:

The student's ability to meet objectives 1-14 will be evaluated as follows:

Objectives 1-6: Open book examination (counts as 40% of grade)

Objectives 7 - 13: Open book examination (counts as 40% of grade)

Objective 14: Make a presentation on any article related to pain. The presentation is worth 10% of your grade. These presentations can be done in the style of a journal club. The presentations will occur throughout the term. Length of each presentation will be approximately 30 minutes, including class discussion. The articles can be from journals, newpapers, websites, etc. (counts as 10% of grade).

Objective 14: Class participation, particularly in the student presentations (counts as 10% of grade).

Objectives 1-14: Attend a minimum of 10 of the 14 lecture periods. Your total grade will be reduced 10% for each period less than 10 attended. For example, if you attend only 9 lectures,your calculated grade will multiplied by 0.90 to get the final grade. If you attend only 8 lectures, your calculated grade will multiplied by 0.80 to get the final grade.

Required text:

Ciba Clinical Symposia Handouts as described in class.

Material fee requirements:

$20 for handouts to be provided by the instructors. Checks can be made out to

WSU Bioengineering Center.

Grading Policy:

The final grade will be a percentage grade with 100% as the highest. The following is the grade range for graduate students:

A93-100

A-86-92

B+81-85

B76-80

B-71-75

C+66-70

C60-65

F59 or less

Exam and quiz policies:

The first examination will be open book. The format of the exam will be multiple 

choice, short answer and short essay.

The second examination will be open book and open notes. The format of the exam will be multiple choice, short answer and short essay.

Make-up examination policy: Taking examinations other than on the days listed in the attached schedule will only be allowed for exceptional personal reasons. These exceptions must be discussed with the instructor at least two weeks prior to the exam or report date except in the case of unforeseen emergencies. An unforeseen medical emergency must have written documentation with the physician's signature. Attending a work meeting is not a valid reason for postponing an exam.

Dates of all examinations: See attached schedule.

Cheating policy:

There will be no talking between students during any examination or copying material from one exam to another. In the open book exams, all materials are allowed. The consequences of cheating on an examination will be a failing grade for the course.

Policy on withdrawal:

-Please note that the LAST day to drop a class with a tuition refund is Monday, January 22.

-Classes dropped during the third and fourth weeks of classes (Jan 23 - Feb 6) will not appear on your academic record. 

-A mark of W is assigned when classes are dropped later than the fourth week.

Also note that the College of Engineering DOES NOT ALLOW Withdrawal from courses after the FIFTH week of classes except under exceptional circumstances. FAILING of a class is NOT an acceptable excuse for withdrawal after the 5th week.

Policy on deferred grades:

A grade of 'I' will only be assigned if the student IS NOT currently failing the class and if there is NOT a substantial quantity of work yet to be completed.An 'I' grade MUST be made up within one year of assignment of the grade.
 

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