About the Course
Nearly one in six people globally has a neurological disorder. Despite how common they are and how effective treatment can be, neurological disorders are often misunderstood and marginalized. In this course, we’ll explore the causes and treatments of neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, visual agnosia, anxiety, and depression. We will analyze fictional and nonfictional case studies as we consider diagnostic tools, formulate diagnoses, and determine potential treatments. In addition, we will assess scientific articles and participate in virtual labs to sharpen our ability to reason through evidence and support conclusions. We’ll gain a sound understanding of normal and abnormal neurological functions as well as the root causes of changes in the brain.
The content in The Science of Neurological Disorders overlaps with the CTY course Unquiet Minds. Students who have already taken Unquiet Minds may wish to consult with an enrollment advisor before enrolling in this course.
Learning Objectives
- Explain the basics of neuroanatomy—the brain and spinal cord
- Identify and describe the basic symptoms and causes of common neurological disorders based on a variety of evidence
- Analyze and interpret neurological case studies
- Form and assess self-made hypotheses around disorder causes and treatment methods, support arguments with concrete evidence, and evaluate peers’ alternative hypotheses
About Mini courses
Taught over 1-3 sessions, these short survey courses are designed to give students the opportunity to sample a topic, engage with a community of advanced learners, and take a course that suits their busy schedule.
Requirements
CTY courses have grade-level requirements and most require minimum test scores. Some courses may also have prerequisites.
Identification DetailsDates and Tuition
Online
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Days: Every Tue for 7 weeks
Times: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Register by: December 15, 2025
Time Commitment:
Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course. If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected].
Families will be notified by email of any required materials one week prior to the course start date.
Time Commitment: 2.5-3.5 hours per week (1.5 hours of class time, 1-2 hours of independent work). Course will include 6 sessions over 6 weeks.
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Days: Every Tue for 7 weeks
Times: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Register by: February 17, 2026
Time Commitment:
Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course. If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected].
Families will be notified by email of any required materials one week prior to the course start date.
Time commitment: 2.5-3.5 hours per week (1.5 hours of class time, 1-2 hours of independent work). Course will include 6 sessions over 6 weeks.
Registration Fee and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for financial aid.
Learn more about Financial Aid