OVERVIEW

Pharmacology studies drugs, their qualitative and quantitative interactions with the living organism, and the mechanisms of action underlying their therapeutic effects, clinical uses and adverse effects with reference to the specific aspects of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

To provide in-depth and current knowledge on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the action of drugs belonging to main classes of drugs, on the pharmacological modulation of cellular responses, on pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, undesirable effects and toxicological aspects of the main classes of drugs and on their use as a therapeutic tool. Future therapeutic and rational perspectives for the design of new approaches and new drugs that selectively intervene in cellular and molecular mechanisms relevant in different pathological conditions.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aims:

To applicate the general principles of pharmacology to drug classes and their therapeutic use

To provide in-depth and detailed knowledge on main classes of drugs and their use as therapeutic strategies in pathological conditions, on cellular and molecular mechanisms of the drug actions, on the pharmacological modulation of cellular responses.

To provide knowledge of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, adverse side effects and toxic effects of representative drugs of the main classes of drugs.

New therapeutic perspectives and rationale to the design of new drugs able to selectively interfere with chosen cellular and molecular mechanisms.

To develop the student's aptitude to critically evaluate and apply the general concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics to classes of drugs and single molecules used for therapeutic purposes.
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To provide transversal skills such as functional literacy competence and social competence, through active, interactive and constructive teaching methodologies.

Learning outcomes:

Ability to applicate the general principles of pharmacology to drug classes and their therapeutic use. Knowledge of the mechanisms of action of main classes of drugs and of pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic of main representative molecules of the drug class. Comprehension of the basic concepts for therapeutic uses of the drugs and of the rationale for drug use. Acquisition of transversal skills (in particular, functional literacy and social competence), as verified by the ability to organize work team on selected classes of drugs, to present the topic to the class, and to discuss it critically.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures. In this context, active, interactive and constructive teaching methods will also be used: students will be invited to work in groups on specific topics, organizing themselves within the working group, then presenting the results of the work to the class, with a subsequent discussion and analysis guided by the teacher. In this way, the objectives of transversal competences (in particular, functional literacy and social competence) will also be achieved.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

INTRODUCTION TO THE CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: General overview of neurotransmission; mechanisms of neurotransmission regulation. Neurons and astrocytes: release of neuro- and gliotrasmitters; neuro- and gliotrasmitter receptors - homodimers, heterodimers, and receptor mosaics. Vesicular release mechanisms of neuro- and gliotrasmitters. Vesicular fusion toxins.

CHOLINERGIC SYSTEM - ADRENERGIC SYSTEM: Synthesis and metabolism of neurotransmitters; cholinergic and adrenergic transmission in the central nervous system and autonomic nervous system.

DRUGS OF THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM: Cholinomimetics and parasympatholytics; mechanisms of action and general overview of effects, side effects, therapeutic uses. Sympathomimetics and alpha and beta adrenergic antagonists; mechanisms of action and general overview of effects, side effects, therapeutic uses.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS: Inflammation and mediators of inflammation. Steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; mechanisms of action and general overview of effects, side effects, therapeutic uses. New drugs.

ANTIULCER AND ANTIEMETIC DRUGS: Antacids, gastric secretion inhibitors, mucosal protectors, and antiemetic drugs; mechanisms of action and general overview of effects, side effects, therapeutic uses.

ANTIBIOTICS: Classes of antibiotic drugs, mechanisms of action, and general overview of effects, side effects, and therapeutic uses.

HORMONES: Drugs of the hypothalamus-pituitary axis. Thyroid drugs; mechanisms of action and general overview of effects, side effects, therapeutic uses.

DRUGS OF THE DOPAMINERGIC SYSTEM. General overview of dopaminergic neurotransmission. Antiparkinson drugs; mechanisms of action and general overview of effects, side effects, therapeutic use. Antipsychotics; mechanisms of action and general overview of effects, side effects, therapeutic use.

SEROTONERGIC DRUGS. General overview of serotonergic neurotransmission. Antidepressants; mechanisms of action and general overview of effects, side effects, therapeutic use. Brief overview of migraine therapy.

DRUGS OF THE GABAERGIC SYSTEM. General overview of GABAergic neurotransmission. Anxiolytics and sedative-hypnotics; mechanism of action and general overview of effects, side effects, therapeutic uses. Antiepileptics; mechanism of action and general overview of effects, side effects, therapeutic use.

DEMENTIAS: Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Sclerosis (multiple and amyotrophic lateral). Pharmacology and mechanisms of major neurodegenerative diseases.

GENDER PHARMACOLOGY: Principles of gender pharmacology.

PHARMACOGENETICS AND PHARMACOGENOMICS: Genetic aspects that influence drug efficacy and safety.

ANTI-DIABETIC DRUGS: Therapy for type I and type II diabetes.

ANTIAGGREGANTS AND LIPID-LOWERING DRUGS: Drugs active on platelet aggregation, coagulation factors, and dyslipidemias, mechanisms of action, and general overview of effects, side effects, therapeutic uses.

PRINCIPLES OF PHARMACOVIGILANCE: ADRs and the national reporting system.

HEART DRUGS: ANTIHYPERTENSIVES AND ANTIARRHYTHMICS. Mechanism of action and general overview of effects, side effects, therapeutic use. Potential new targets, research and development of new drugs. POSITIVE INOTROPIC AGENTS. Cardioactive glycosides, mechanism of action, and general overview of effects, side effects, therapeutic use. Potential new targets, research and development of new drugs. ANTIANGINAL DRUGS. Brief overview of the pathophysiology of coronary flow and ischemic heart disease; potential targets for pharmacological intervention. Antianginals, mechanism of action, and general overview of effects, side effects, therapeutic use.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Golan DE et al – Principi di farmacologia – Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
• Goodman & Gilmans – Le basi farmacologiche della terapia – McGraw-Hill
• Govoni S et al - Farmacologia - Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

Slides from the lectures will be available (download from Aula WEB)

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CHIARA CERVETTO (President)

MANUELA MARCOLI

MASSIMO GRILLI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

For lessons start and timetable go to the link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Please check the module Aulaweb page for timetable updates dependent on the sanitary and epidemic situation.

Class schedule

PHARMACOLOGY II

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination method for assessing the student's achievement of the set objectives will take the form of an oral examination and will be conducted by a committee consisting of at least two full professors (or in limited cases by a full professor and a subject expert designated as such by the CCS). The examination will last approximately 30 minutes.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The committee will verify the achievement of the module's training objectives with a high degree of accuracy by asking many questions relating to the programme actually carried out during the lectures.

With regard to the assessment of the achievement of learning objectives, the student must demonstrate knowledge of the kinetic properties (time-of-action), molecular targets and effects resulting from interactions, and adverse reactions for the different drug classes.

For the final evaluation, the committee will assess the following aspects: level of knowledge of the topics covered by the questions, exposition skills as well as the ability to link and reason with other topics in the programme. If the learning objectives are not met, the student will be invited to check his or her knowledge in more detail and, if necessary, to seek further explanations by contacting the lecturer.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Course attendance is recommended.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison