Cellular and Molecular Biology

Neuropharmacology

Neuropharmacology

Academic year 2022/2023

Sommario del corso

• Course objectives
• Results of learning outcomes
• Course delivery
• Learning assessment methods
• Program
• Suggested textbooks and readings
• Teaching tools

Course objectives

The objectives of this course are to provide the concepts and theory essential for understanding the mechanism of action and clinical effects of drug classes which are used to treat Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders.

Results of learning outcomes

On completion of this subject students shall be able:
• to identify the main neurotransmitters and receptors present at the CNS level;
• to list examples of drugs used to treat major classes of brain and mind disorders;
• to outline the mechanism of action of specified drug classes used to treat the major types of brain and mind disorders.

Course delivery

The course, delivered in presence consists, of 16 meetings. Each lecture will be followed by homework consisting of multiple-choice questions to train the Student learning. In association to frontal teaching, during which all the topics covered by program will be addressed, the critical reading of scientific articles will be proposed to the class, to deepen specific topics dealt during the previous meetings. The reading of the texts could be done  during the lesson, together with the teacher, or individually and then discussed collectively in the classroom. These discussion in the classroom will be useful to increase practical understanding and to develop a critical vision on the topics studied. Finally, a Neuropharmacology Forum will be open to post questions and/or doubts about the topics covered during the Neuropharmacology Course to increase the interaction between Students and Teacher and among Students.

All lessons will be delivered in presence. Alternative online teaching (by streaming) may be introduced according to the University recommendations related to the status of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learning assessment methods

Exams will take place exclusively in presence with the only exception of students who self-declare, in relation to Covid-19, personal fragility or positivity.

Remote examinations may be introduced according to the University recommendations related to the status of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The exam will consist of an oral examination. However, if the sanitary emergency will not allow the exam in attendance, options at distance will take into consideration (Webex platform).

Brief article presentation (optional): students might give a short presentation before the end of the course based on Neuropharmacology articles selected through a biobliographic search activity. This presentation may provide additional points to the score of the final exam.

Program

1. Introduction to Neuropharmacology
2. Neurotransmitters and Receptor systems in the brain
3. Psychiatric disorders and drugs used to treat them                                                            4. Neurodegenerative disorders and drugs used to treat them
5. Disorders of sleep and its treatment
6. Chronic pain and its treatment
7. Addiction and its mechanisms

The teaching materials used for the class lectures will be made available to registered students on the Moodle platform.

Reference Books:

Goodman & Gilman's "The pharmacological basis of therapeutics" Mc Graw Hill Ed.

Katzung "Basic & Clinical Pharmacology" Mc Graw Hill Ed.

Nestler, Hyman & Malenka's "Molecular Neuropharmacology" McGraw Hill Ed.

Stahl "Stahl's essential psychopharmacology" Cambridge Ed

Rang & Dale "Pharmacology" Elsevier Ed.

Francesco Clemente & Guido Fumagalli "General and Molecular Pharmacology" Wiley Ed.

• Teaching materials
• Exams and finals
• Go to Moodle
• Visit the forums