Describe the pathology of the disorder with an emphasis on the abnormalities of nervous system structure and function, including any genetic and biochemical aspects.

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Selection of Final Project Topic

[WLOs: 1, 2, 3] [CLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4]

Prior to beginning work on this assignment, review Chapters 1 and 2 in the course text, as well as the Multicellular organisms and their nervous systems and Discovering the human brain: New pathways to neuroscience, with Susan Bookheimer, Ph.D videos, and watch the The DSM-5: Accessing and Using the DSM-5 in the Ashford University Library (Links to an external site.) screencast on how to access and use this resource, and how to cite and reference the DSM-5.

This assignment is an analysis of a selected neuropsychological disorder. The disorder you select this week will be used to complete the Week 1 assignment (topic selection). You will continue to use the same disorder to complete the Week 2 assignment (annotated bibliography), the Week 3 assignment (annotated outline of Final Project), and the Week 5 assignment (Final Project). Your completed Weeks 1 through 3 assignments will be used as a foundation to help you complete your Week 5 assignment (Final Project).

Select a neuropsychological disorder for comprehensive analysis from the following list. Your selection of topic should be based on your personal or professional experience, or your own academic or personal interest in the topic. Be sure to use current terminology from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 (DSM-5).

Please select your topic from the following list:

  • Schizophrenia
  • Major depressive disorder
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Anxiety
    • Choose and focus on one of the anxiety disorders (g., generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder).
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Substance use disorder (substance abuse and addiction)
    • Provide both an overview of this topic plus a focus on a single drug of your choice.
  • Neurodevelopmental disorder (autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder)
  • Neurocognitive disorder
    • Choose and focus on one of the neurocognitive disorders (g., one of the dementias).
  • Neurological disorder
    • Choose and focus on one neurological disorder (g., multiple sclerosis, spina bifida).
  • Sleep-wake disorder
    • Choose and focus on one of the sleep-wake disorders.
  • Feeding and eating disorder
    • Choose and focus on one of the feeding and eating disorders.
  • Sexual dysfunction or gender dysphoria
    • Choose and focus on one of the conditions in these categories.
  • Other neuropsychological disorder found in the DSM-5 but not on the list above
    • This option must be approved in advance by the instructor before your assignment is submitted.

In keeping with the focus of this class, the emphasis of your paper should be on the neuroscience aspects of the disorder you selected. In your paper, please be sure that the following aspects of your topic are discussed:

  • Explain the theories of etiology (causes) with a focus on the neurobiology of the disorder.
  • Explain associated factors in development of the disorder (genetic, environmental, familial, lifestyle).
  • Describe the pathology of the disorder with an emphasis on the abnormalities of nervous system structure and function, including any genetic and biochemical aspects.
  • Give examples of treatment options, including both drug (pharmacological) and non-drug (nonpharmacological treatments), with rationales for use of these treatments based on current understanding of the neurobiology of the disorder.
  • Summarize diagnostic and research technologies employed in clinical diagnosis, clinical and behavioral health care, and basic science research.

Please research your topic and obtain a minimum of two to three scholarly and/or peer-reviewed sources published within the last five years. These sources should provide evidence-based information regarding the biological and psychological features of the disorder, with an emphasis on the neurobiology of your selected topic. Be sure to cite your sources in your paper and include them on your references page. You may utilize required or recommended course materials in your work, but these will not count towards the reference requirements; however, you may cite and reference the DSM-5 as one of your sources used for the grading credit.

The Selection of Final Project Topic Week 1 assignment:

  • Must be a minimum of two to three double-spaced pages in length (not including title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center’s APA Style (Links to an external site.)
  • Must include a separate title page with the following:
    • Title of paper.
    • Student’s name
    • Course name and number
    • Instructor’s name
    • Date submitted

For further assistance with the formatting and the title page, refer to APA Formatting for Word 2013 (Links to an external site.).

  • Must utilize academic voice. See the Academic Voice (Links to an external site.) resource for additional guidance.
  • Must include an introduction and conclusion paragraph. Your introduction paragraph needs to end with a clear thesis statement that indicates the purpose of your paper.
    • For assistance on writing Introductions & Conclusions (Links to an external site.) as well as Writing a Thesis Statement (Links to an external site.), refer to the Ashford Writing Center resources.
  • Must use at least two to three scholarly or peer-reviewed sources published within the last five years in addition to the course text or other course materials. You may also use required and recommended materials from the course but these will not count towards the research component of your grade.
    • The Scholarly, Peer-Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources (Links to an external site.) table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types and the Ashford University Quick ‘n’ Dirty (Links to an external site.) video provides library search tips. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source for a particular assignment.
  • Must document any information used from sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center’s Citing Within Your Paper (Links to an external site.)
  • Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. See the Formatting Your References List (Links to an external site.) resource in the Ashford Writing Center for specifications.

Carefully review the Grading Rubric (Links to an external site.) for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.