CODE 80495 ACADEMIC YEAR 2020/2021 CREDITS 2 cfu anno 4 CHIMICA E TECNOLOGIA FARMACEUTICHE 8451 (LM-13) - GENOVA 2 cfu anno 3 CHIMICA E TECNOLOGIA FARMACEUTICHE 8451 (LM-13) - GENOVA 2 cfu anno 4 FARMACIA 8452 (LM-13) - GENOVA 2 cfu anno 5 FARMACIA 8452 (LM-13) - GENOVA SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR BIO/14 TEACHING LOCATION GENOVA SEMESTER 2° Semester MODULES Questo insegnamento è un modulo di: OPTIONAL SUBJECTS TEACHING MATERIALS AULAWEB OVERVIEW Drug abuse has become a quite complex phenomenon; now many of its neurobiological mechanisms are known, and lots of studies are in progress to better understand various aspects of the problem especially with the aim to prevent or to cure it appropriately. Of note, many new drugs of abuse have become available in the last years and some of them are becoming available just now. AIMS AND CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES The aim is to provide the students appropriate knowledge on several aspects of abuse of psychoactive drugs especially regarding the mechanisms of action of the main drugs of abuse acting on the Central nervous System. AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES The aim of the course is to provide a detailed view of the neurobiological mechanisms at the basis of these phenomena and of some research that is in progress to better understand various aspects and counteract the problem with therapeutic strategies and prevention TEACHING METHODS Lectures will be supported by presentations and slides in pdf or Power Point format. The content of the lectures will be requested for the exam. No further reading / books are requested. SYLLABUS/CONTENT General information on drug abuse and addiction. Mechanisms of drug dependence. Factors of vulnerability for drug addiction. Neurobiological bases of abuse and addiction. The role of dopamine. Pharmacology and toxicology of cocaine, amphetamines, ecstasy, phencyclidine, opiates, cannabis, nicotine and hallucinogen drugs; mechanisms of action, pharmacological effects, toxicity. Therapeutical strategies now available against different types of addiction. Some information about studies on possible future therapy against addiction related to the above mentioned substances. TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD LUCA RAITERI Ricevimento: By making a date with the teacher via e-mail: lraiter@difar.unige.it Exam Board ELEONORA RUSSO (President) BRUNO TASSO (President) LESSONS LESSONS START In the second semester, depending also on the availability of lecture halls. Class schedule The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy EXAMS EXAM DESCRIPTION Multiple-choice series of questions (written). Due to the COVID19 health emergency, the usual exam test could be substituted by a on-line test and the modes through which the test will take place will be previously discussed in detail. ASSESSMENT METHODS This kind of exam gives the possibility to critically think about various parts of the program and in this way the the achievement of the learning objectives is assessed
