The Neuropharmacology teaching course will provide a general view of the mechanisms of action and use of drugs acting on the central nervous system, with specific reference to major conditions and their pharmacological treatment. This course aims at developing knowledge and understanding in several key areas of Neuropharmacology: a) perform and evaluate applications in experimental settings in the area of neuropharmacology b) perform and evaluate applications in clinical settings in the area of neuropharmacology c) critical thinking, analytical, and synthetic reasoning skills in the area of neuropharmacology d) apply the ethical code in applied and research settings in the area of neuropharmacology
Prerequisiti
The course prerequisites include a basic knowledge of general biology and neuroscience. Prospective students should be familiar with the fundamental concepts in these fields to effectively benefit from the course and learning materials.
Metodi didattici
This course will adopt a variety of learning methods, by blending traditional lectures, incorporating group discussions, and practical exercises. The course we will host also expert professionals from various areas of neuroscientists. These experts will share their knowledge and experiences with the students, offering a unique opportunity to deepen the understanding of different applications of neuropharmacology.
Verifica Apprendimento
The exam will be a written examination with 30 multiple choices questions and 1 open-ended question. Each multiple question is worth 0.9 points, while the open-ended question is worth 3 points; the total grade will be between 0-30. The exam duration is 60 minutes. The exam will cover the material and topics explained and discussed during the lectures. The students' grades will be determined by the accuracy and clarity of their answers, as well as their ability to explain and critically apply the concepts taught throughout the course.
Testi
-Molecular Neuropharmacology: A Foundation for Clinical Neuroscience (4th edition
Contenuti
The course will include 1) an introductory section, where basic principles of pharmacology, such as pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, along with major concepts regarding synaptic transmission and signal transduction in the brain will be discussed; 2) neural substrates of drug action will be then explained. This will include a description of major neurotransmission systems and transfer of basic concepts of functional neuroanatomy that will provide the basis for the understanding of how drugs acting within the central nervous system can modify the course of neurological or psychiatric disorders; 3) finally, we will discuss how centrally active compounds can impact on different diseases, characterized by relatively high frequency in the general populations - i.e., stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, migraine, mood disorders, etc. – and what future developments may be expected in the neuropharmacology field.
