OVERVIEW

This course should give students knowledge on certain themes of research in neuropsychopharmacology including knowledge of some experimental methods available to researchers who study and develop potential novel drugs aimed to treat Central Nervous System disorders.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the Course is to provide students knowledge on some aspects of Research in Pharmacology of the Central Nervous System, some related experimental techniques and their possible application, and to give some examples of studies which have the potential aim to develop new drugs of neurological or psychiatric interest.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the Course is to provide students knowledge on some aspects of Research in Pharmacology of the Central Nervous System, some related experimental techniques and their possible application, and to give some examples of studies which have the potential aim to develop new drugs of neurological or psychiatric interest.

Learning outcomes are: knowledge of the scientific themes described in the Course, of the most important technical aspects of the related methods, of the potentiality and caveats of the types of studies presented, and of the appropriate scientific terms and language related to the topics.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures will be supported by presentations and slides in pdf or Power Point format. All related files  will be available online on “Aulaweb” website. The whole content  that will be required for the exam is previously presented and explained in detail during lectures.  No further reading / books are required .

In case the standard in-class lessons cannot take place due to particular reasons, and following authorization by the qualified Institutional Figures, lectures can take place electronically using the appropriate online platform. The teacher will promptly inform students of any changes and related details by email,  AulaWeb website messages or the Degree Course website.     

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department ( Prof. Luca Raiteri, Luca.Raiteri@unige.it ) before class begins, in order to liaise and arrange the specific learning methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes. VERY IMPORTANT: any request for compensatory tools and adaptations in the exam MUST be done within 10 working days before the date of the exam according to the instructions that can be found at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/comunicazioni

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Neurotransmission (biosynthesis, storage, release and release mechanisms, uptake of neurotransmitters, neurotransmitter transporters, receptor types and subtypes). Neurotransmitters and experimental techniques for their characterization. Detailed study of some neurotransmitters involved in important Central Nervous System pathologies and strategies for drug developement. Experimental models useful to study neurological and psychiatric diseases and therefore used to develop potential novel drugs, including conditions like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia,ischemia, neurodegenerative disorders. Non-invasive methods to study behaviour in animal models of pathology of the central nervous system.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

During the first semester, according to schedule that will be promptly made available through the above indicated  communication media.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam test in this Module is a written test containing 3-4 open questions related to the most important topics of the Course. The standard time for the test is 90 minutes. It will be possible (not compulsory) to have an oral discussion related to the written test contents, to have a better outcome of the test. In the case of inadequate outcome in the written test, it is also possible to arrange an oral discussion test to get, at least, a passing grade alternatively to repeating the whole test . The final outcome will be expressed by a vote out of thirty. The exam is passed with a minimum of 18/30.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The aim of the Course is to provide students knowledge on some aspects of Research in Pharmacology of the Central Nervous System, some related experimental techniques and their possible application, and to give some examples of studies which have the potential aim to develop new drugs of neurological or psychiatric interest.

Learning outcomes are: knowledge of the scientific themes described in the Course, of the most important technical aspects of the related methods, of the potentiality and caveats of the types of studies presented, and of the appropriate scientific terms and language related to the topics.

The written test is based on open questions, in this way the requested topic can be first described from a general point of view and then in a more detailed way, thus allowing to ascertain learning results and their achievement in a comprehensive way: answers will permit to evaluate students’ knowledge according to the aims of the Course, including the correct use of scientific terms.  

The final outcome of the exam will result from : ability to understand scientific questions according to the criteria that have been explained during the Course, to consequently describe how the question can be addressed, and ability to use adequate scientific language.

FURTHER INFORMATION

To more easily understand the contents of the Module, it is advisable (although not mandatory) to attend this Course after attending the General Pharmacology Course or, anyway, a basic pharmacology Course.

Other information can be obtained by sending an email message to the teacher

Luca.Raiteri@unige.it