OVERVIEW

Neuropharmacology is a branch of neuroscience that involves the study of drugs that modulate the nervous system and its functioning, particularly at the level of the brain. The goal of neuropharmacology in general is to understand the basic functioning of impulses and signals within the brain in order to discover ways in which drugs can be used to treat neurological disorders and drug addiction.

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 focus on examining the main pharmacological strategies focusing on the modulation of neurochemical and behavioral responses that can intervene in the pathogenetic mechanisms of major CNS pathologies. In addition, the main experimental models used in pharmacological research will be analyzed.
Students should know the symptomatology associated with alterations in the functioning of major neurotransmitter systems and the therapeutic potential of modulating their activity. In particular:
- Serotonergic transmission in depression and pharmacological modulation
- GABaergic transmission in anxiety syndromes and pharmacological modulation
- Opioidergic transmission in pain control and pharmacological modulation
- Dopaminergic transmission in psychosis and Parkinson's M. and pharmacologic modulation
- Cholinergic transmission in dementia syndromes and pharmacological modulation

TEACHING METHODS

Pharmacology teaching consists of 2.5 CFU (20 hours) of face-to-face lectures. According to the teaching regulations, attendance is mandatory. 
Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), disabilities or other educational needs are invited to contact the lecturer and the School/Department's disability liaison at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching arrangements that, while respecting the objectives of the teaching, take into account individual learning patterns.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1) Pharmacology of the nociceptive system its modulation by opioid drugs.
2) Pharmacology of the endogenous cannabinoid system: therapeutic applications of natural and synthetic cannabinoids.
3) Pharmacological therapy of depression.
4) Pharmacological therapy of anxiety: anxiolytic, sedative and hypnotic drugs.
5) Pharmacological control of psychosis: typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs.
6) Pharmacological control of the generation of epileptogenic electrical activity in the central nervous system: anticonvulsant drugs.
7) Pharmacology of Parkinson's disease.
8) Pharmacology of dementias and in particular the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All materials used during the lectures will be provided to students via Aulaweb in advance of the lecture. In addition additional insights are available in the following texts:

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

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will be conducted orally through an interview on the topics covered in the course.

There will be 3 appeals available for the winter session (January-February) and 4 for the summer session (June-September).

Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SAD), disabilities or other educational needs regularly submitted to the University may request adjustments in the exam which must be made strictly at least 10 working days before the scheduled exam date by carefully following the instructions in the link at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/comunicazioni

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The examination will be structured by means of student presentation of the program topics covered during the lectures, on which specific insights or connections with related topics may be required. The discussion will be aimed at assessing not only the level of knowledge attained by the student but also the acquisition of critical ability in dealing with topics related to neuropharmacology.