OVERVIEW

Neuropharmacology is the part of neuroscience which is devoted to the study of the drugs able to modulate the functioning of the central nervous system, and in particular within the brain. Neuropharmacology goal is the understanding of how impulses and signals within the brain are altered in pathological conditions and can be restored after drug treatment

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide the students with knowledge about the main classes of drugs active on the central nervous system. The course will be focused to study the main pharmacological strategies used to modulate the neurochemical and behavioral responses to affect the pathogenetic mechanisms of the main CNS diseases.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course will be focused to study the main pharmacological strategies used to modulate the neurochemical and behavioral responses to affect the pathogenetic mechanisms of the main CNS diseases. The most used experimental models for the study of drugs in neurological diseases will also be addressed

The student will know the symptoms related to the main neurotransmitter alterations and the therapeutic possibilities of the pharmacological modulation of their activity, with particulkar attention to:

serotoninergic neurotransmission in depression and pharmacological modulation

GABaergic neurotransmission in anxiety syndromes  and pharmacological modulation

oppioidergic neurotransmission in pain control and pharmacological modulation

dopaminergic neurotransmission in psychosee and  M. of Parkinson and pharmacological modulation

cholinergic neurotramsmission in dementia and pharmacological modulation

neurotransmitter nechanisms in reward and drug dependnece  and pharmacological modulation

TEACHING METHODS

Neuropharmacology course will comprise 2,5 CFU (24) hours of frontal teaching.

According to the didactic rules of the Medical-pharmaceutical Biotechnology Master course, the frequency is mandatory.

Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs), disabilities or other educational needs are invited to contact the lecturer and the School/Departmental Disability Liaison at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching modalities that, while respecting the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning patterns.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1) Pharmacology of nociceptive system

2) Pharmacology of the cannabinoid system

3) Pharmacology of the depression

4) Pharmacology of the anxiety (anxiolytics, sedative hypnotic drugs)

5) Pharmacology of the psychosis (typical and atypical drugs)

6) Pharmacology of the epilepsies

7) Pharmacology of the Parkinson disease

8) Pharmacology of the dementias

9) Pharmacology of the drug abuse and dependence

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All the slides used during the frontal lessons will be made available via Aulaweb site, before the respective lesson.

Moreover, the following texts are recommnended to in depth address the course topics:

S. Govoni, L. Frattola, G. Racagni, E. Smeraldi. Neuropsicofarmacologia. UTET 

F. Clementi, G. Fumagalli. Farmacologia generale e molecolare. UTET.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Second semester

Class schedule

NEUROPHARMACOLOGY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will be held as oral interogation about the topics discussed during the course.

Students can choose among 3 sessions during the winter semester (in January and february) and 4 sessions in the summer one (June, July and September)

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam will be performed by the presentation by the students of topics reported in the syllabus and discussed during the frontal lessons. In depth analyses and relationship with other topics can be requested. The discussion will have the goal to assess the not only the level of knowledge gained by the student but also its ability to critically analyze the main neuropharmacology-related issues.