This unit is designed to explore the intricate processes of brain development, neurodevelopmental disorders, pain mechanisms, and neurodegeneration across the human lifespan. In the first module, students will delve into the stages of brain development during embryogenesis, understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that guide neural induction and patterning. It will also cover the genetic regulation of neurodevelopment, and examine the genetic and epigenetic bases of exemplar neurodevelopmental disorders. The second module will explore the biological significance of pain, from peripheral and central responses to trauma, through the transition from acute injury to chronic pain, and the mechanisms of pain modulation and analgesia. In the final module, the focus shifts to neurodegeneration, introducing the spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases, their clinical presentations, and underlying pathologies, plus emerging treatment options. Throughout the unit, practical classes will allow students to understand structural and gene expression changes that happen during neurodevelopment, identify gene variants responsible for disease, investigate experimental techniques to study pain neurobiology, and gain understanding of how neurodegenerative disease is diagnosed. By undertaking the advanced unit students will participate in weekly small group seminars under the guidance of a research-active academic. The seminars will take the form of a Journal Club, a style practiced widely in research laboratories around the world. The aim of the Journal Club is to develop critical thinking and detailed knowledge in a specific area of neuroscience research through group discussions. The Journal Club will also develop the skills required to lead a discussion in a small group setting. This unit will develop key attributes that are essential for science graduates as they move forward in their careers.