Instruction
CHOOSE EITHER OPTION A OR OPTION B - both 2500 words +/- 10%
Option A
An evidence-based discussion of the physiological and behavioural effects of alcohol and cannabis.
Given current debates and potential decisions around the legal status of cannabis and related products, it is worthwhile considering how it compares with a legal psychoactive substance used extensively in social situations. Broadly the goal here is to discuss each substance and their effects on humans – biologically (psychoactive, but also in relation to other organs), their effects on behaviour, and their risks in terms of their health, social, and safety concerns. In these discussions you should consider the various routes of administration, and the currently different rates of use in the community as a whole (i.e., alcohol is legal and much more widely consumed).
The structure of your essay is at your discretion, however, some issues we expect to be evident.
• A short introduction, briefly providing a context in terms of each substance’s history, current usage, and legal status.
• How each acts on the central nervous system – i.e., the physiological systems and processes that they exert their effects through. Here you should also consider neurotoxicity, and safety issues as appropriate.
• The effects of the compound on behaviours, emotions and feelings. Again, ensure that you consider positives and negatives – the social nature of the substances, the impacts on behaviour and decision making, and the risks and/or safety issues that arise (or potentially arise) with current and possible increased usage.
o In each case, consider what might be a relatively safe usage (dosage, frequency, context, route of administration) etc.
o What groups are, or could be, disproportionately harmed?
• A research-informed discussion of the biological, behavioural, health, and social effects, and an evidence-based reflection on societal issues around its legality, usage, dependence, and treatment (or use in treatment).
You do not need to conclude with a definitive position on the legal status and availability of either substance. But, engage with the evidence and consider the various impacts, and potential impacts of use (across a range of use levels) of each substance.
Option B
An evidence-based discussion of the biological understanding of a disorder.
Choose a one of the disorders listed below and describe the biological basis of the disorder, and the associated brain-behaviour interactions. The disorders are:
• Dementia Alzheimer’s Type
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Huntington’s Disease
• Schizophrenia
Again, the structure of your essay is at your discretion, but you should address the following:
• An overview of the disorder and its behavioural features.
• A description of the biological understanding of the disorder, and how various approaches to research and imaging the brain have informed this.
• A discussion of how this has influenced the treatment and/or amelioration of some symptomology.
• A discussion of the current biological understanding of the disorder. Consider:
o What is understood well, what is not?
o Has the understanding led to improved treatment approaches?
o To what extent do are the links between brain structure and function and behaviour understood?
o What are the strengths and weaknesses of this approach?