[Tori_Scott]

(Original post by HarryMWilliams)
Neurodegenerative diseases. Shall be fun.

I'm planning to do Neurodegenerative diseases for my EPQ too, I was wondering how you're going to narrow the subject down to just one question? I was thinking of doing about how attitudes towards Neurodegenerative Diseases have changed in history but I'm worried it will be too philosophical and not scientific enough.

[Neurology.]

Hello

My topic is on Parkinson's disease and it's treatments. I was wandering whether anyone has got any resources they'll like to share

Sharing is caring after all (something future docs should be) xD

[. . .]

(Original post by purplefrog)
Okay, so ideally you want newspaper articles and journals.

For critical views on the reforms, I suggest you find anything on them written by A.Pollock - you can find his articles in the BMJ. If you're struggling to get access to the articles, make a note of the ones you need and post it in the medics' paper request thread.

Another fantastic source on the reforms will be anything written by The King's Fund. They are a leading Think Tank on UK Healthcare and almost all of their publications are hugely influential in both Westminster and in the NHS. Here is a link to their section on the Health and Social Care Act which has relevant publications. It is a lot to read through, but that is the spirit of researching and EPQ-ing - will definitely put you in good stead of research essays at uni. http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/current_...ial_care_bill/

And remember for anything you read, always check the references/sources as they will often allow you to critique how good the article is, and also may lead to you read more relevant and useful material should you dig up what's been referenced.

What is the title of your EPQ, if I may ask?

Hope that helps.

I add to this the book NHS plc which is buy A.Pollock. Which I just finished today. It's very interesting provides a shocking insight into the NHS from what seems like a lefties perspective.

[purplefrog]

(Original post by . . .)
I add to this the book NHS plc which is buy A.Pollock. Which I just finished today. It's very interesting provides a shocking insight into the NHS from what seems like a lefties perspective.

NHS Plc is quite old now and doesn't strictly relate to the recent reforms. But yes, Pollock is HUGELY against privatising the NHS and creating internal markets so her writing is very critical and biased. Her arguments due have merits, but take into account her stance when using her as evidence.

[HarryMWilliams]

(Original post by Tori_Scott)
I'm planning to do Neurodegenerative diseases for my EPQ too, I was wondering how you're going to narrow the subject down to just one question? I was thinking of doing about how attitudes towards Neurodegenerative Diseases have changed in history but I'm worried it will be too philosophical and not scientific enough.

I've gone for the relationship between aluminium and alzheimers.

[purplefrog]

(Original post by Tori_Scott)
I'm planning to do Neurodegenerative diseases for my EPQ too, I was wondering how you're going to narrow the subject down to just one question? I was thinking of doing about how attitudes towards Neurodegenerative Diseases have changed in history but I'm worried it will be too philosophical and not scientific enough.

It depends on whether you want it to be sciency or not. The attitudes question is a really good one and is something you'll often have to reflect on a medical student (think about culture shifts in smoking, drinking, mental health, weight, diet, ageing, HIV and AIDS). Shifts in public thinking are just as important as new scientific understandings. And this might allow you explore medicine and health care in a wider context than just molecular action and see how pathology affects lives and society. It's worth thinking about, but depends on what you're after in your EPQ. Remember, medical admissions really do not care at all about what its on.

[Sarcastic_Sazza]

A good idea would be 'doping' in the Olympics or something related to Athletes medical needs. That's my initial plan anyway

Plus, it's a great topic in terms of relevance to this year.

Then again, I don't start my EPQ till September so I'll probably end up doing something completely different.

[Khat]

I've decided that I want to do an EPQ on the brain, I was thinking of doing it based on a specific brain disorder I've looked at a few such as schizophrenia etc , I've also looked at tumours however I would like to focus on the treatment aspect and would also like it to be controversial. I've tried coming up with a question but keep reaching a dead end so any ideas will be appreciated.

[purplefrog]

This is will probably get merged into the "I'm doing an EPQ on medicine" thread... but may you please be more specific in order for people to help you?
Which condition are you looking at?
Do you know any of the current conventional and experimental treatments for it?
Are you aware of what direction research is currently going into it?

If you want to talk about something topical and constantly debated regarding the brain, deep brain stimulation (electrode stimulation) is one that always is discussed and researchers are trying that out for a vast variety of neurological conditions.

You could also look at the history of how psychiatric conditions were treated or how mental health has been viewed by society.

You could also examine the ethics surrounding psychopharmacology or trying to read up on the mechanism of drug action on one or two psychiatric drugs and consider the scope of current evidence for long term use of the drugs.

The more specific you are on the above questions I've asked, the easier it'll be for others to help you narrow down to something that gets you ticking.

(Original post by Khat)
I've decided that I want to do an EPQ on the brain, I was thinking of doing it based on a specific brain disorder I've looked at a few such as schizophrenia etc , I've also looked at tumours however I would like to focus on the treatment aspect and would also like it to be controversial. I've tried coming up with a question but keep reaching a dead end so any ideas will be appreciated.

[Khat]

(Original post by purplefrog)
This is will probably get merged into the "I'm doing an EPQ on medicine" thread... but may you please be more specific in order for people to help you?
Which condition are you looking at?
Do you know any of the current conventional and experimental treatments for it?
Are you aware of what direction research is currently going into it?

If you want to talk about something topical and constantly debated regarding the brain, deep brain stimulation (electrode stimulation) is one that always is discussed and researchers are trying that out for a vast variety of neurological conditions.

You could also look at the history of how psychiatric conditions were treated or how mental health has been viewed by society.

You could also examine the ethics surrounding psychopharmacology or trying to read up on the mechanism of drug action on one or two psychiatric drugs and consider the scope of current evidence for long term use of the drugs.

The more specific you are on the above questions I've asked, the easier it'll be for others to help you narrow down to something that gets you ticking.

Thanks I have decided on what to do now so all that is left is to formulate a question and get writing

[gingernat]

Hi there,

I'm doing mine on genetics, or more specifically the effect of environmental factors on gene expression. As I'm a twin, it all be interesting to see how identical twins can change depending of differing environments.

As part of the research, contacting experts is a good thing isn't it?? What sorts of things do we ask them for? Further reading or what?

Thanks

[HarryMWilliams]

(Original post by gingernat)
Hi there,

I'm doing mine on genetics, or more specifically the effect of environmental factors on gene expression. As I'm a twin, it all be interesting to see how identical twins can change depending of differing environments.

As part of the research, contacting experts is a good thing isn't it?? What sorts of things do we ask them for? Further reading or what?

Thanks

I'd say that contacting experts in your field would be a good thing because they will support your argument, at least I would assume you would contact experts that would do so.. otherwise its well a bit pointless.

Some of them will just give you pointers, but sometimes they will actually give you content to quote etc. You really just have to see what you get from initial contact.

[gingernat]

(Original post by HarryMWilliams)
I'd say that contacting experts in your field would be a good thing because they will support your argument, at least I would assume you would contact experts that would do so.. otherwise its well a bit pointless....

Thanks a bunch, will contact a few geneticists today I think.
As for my title, do you think it would be better if it were more narrow, for example "How can schizophrenia affect one monozygotic twin, but not the other?"

That way, I can talk about general genetics THEN narrow down to disease later on in the paper.

Thanks for your help guys

[MadamePuddifoot]

What does everyone think about an EPQ about abortion as a result of a prenatal diagnosis (possible Down's, other genetic disorders etc.) I think it'll be good since there are a lot of different and valuable arguments and viewpoints surrounding it, but I'm just not sure if it's related to medicine enough

[HarryMWilliams]

(Original post by gingernat)
Thanks a bunch, will contact a few geneticists today I think.
As for my title, do you think it would be better if it were more narrow, for example "How can schizophrenia affect one monozygotic twin, but not the other?"

Don't narrow down your title too far it will just restrict you in the long run.

[cakefreak]

Hey everyone,
I am looking for ideas for my EPQ and want to do something related to pediatrics. I'm going to start by reading a few online articles but was wondering which online medical journal i should use? Is the Lancet a UK one? Thanks in advance

[jessejojames]

(Original post by lekky)
Lots of threads popping up at the moment, so here's a place to discuss your EPQ!

I did my EPQ on malaria and got an A* so if you have any questions you think I can help with please quote me

Hey! I know this is from quite a while ago, but how did you go about doing an EPQ on malaria as I've been thinking of a title to do mine on in relation to the disease as well. Thanks!

[lekky]

(Original post by jessejojames)
Hey! I know this is from quite a while ago, but how did you go about doing an EPQ on malaria as I've been thinking of a title to do mine on in relation to the disease as well. Thanks!

TBH it's about bull****ting and bull****ting well. No idea how I got an A*, just always been good at bull****ting which makes me good at essays apparently.. I talked a lot about the link between HIV and malaria, evaluated different methods of treatment of the two diseases then talked about the countries/systems wher ethey treat both together and obv evaluated that as better. Then talked about all the prevention methods in place for malaria and evaluated them. This is all after going through what malaria is, advice to travellers, advice to residents, pathophysiology of malaria, treatment, prophylaxis, etc etc. Concentrate on evaluating stuff and you'll be fine.

ps. EPQ was a load of crap, but it was an easy grade, so even though it makes you hate life I'd stick with it.
pps. it's freshers week and its 2am. please don't judge.

[hatwoman]

I'm a year 12 and just started, how do you do an extended project and when do you start it? Thanks

[jessejojames]

(Original post by lekky)
TBH it's about bull****ting and bull****ting well. No idea how I got an A*, just always been good at bull****ting which makes me good at essays apparently.. I talked a lot about the link between HIV and malaria, evaluated different methods of treatment of the two diseases then talked about the countries/systems wher ethey treat both together and obv evaluated that as better. Then talked about all the prevention methods in place for malaria and evaluated them. This is all after going through what malaria is, advice to travellers, advice to residents, pathophysiology of malaria, treatment, prophylaxis, etc etc. Concentrate on evaluating stuff and you'll be fine.

ps. EPQ was a load of crap, but it was an easy grade, so even though it makes you hate life I'd stick with it.
pps. it's freshers week and its 2am. please don't judge.

Wow thank you! What was your title, if you don't mine me asking? Im directing mine more on the link between malaria and DDT, i am just struggling to come up with a good title.