Course Syllabus
Aims
To learn the following aspects related to the drugs employed for the treatment of the main diseases of the peripheral and central nervous systems: (1) cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic and adverse effects; (2) pharmacokinetic properties; (3) therapeutic, side effects, toxic effects (4) drug interactions; (5) pharmacogenetic determinants of drugs' responses.
Contents
Drugs acting on the peripheral somatic and autonomic nervous systems.
Drugs for the treatment of the main neurological diseases:
(1) Drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases
(2) Anti-seizure drugs
(3) Drugs for headache and migraine
Drugs for the treatment of the main psychiatric diseases:
(1) Anxiolytics and hypnotics
(2) Antidepressants and mood stabilizers
(3) Antipsychotics
Detailed program
- Neurotransmitter and receptor systems in the peripheral and central nervous systems
Serotonin / Noradrenaline / Dopamine / Acetylcholine / GABA / Glutamate: synthesis and metabolism; main pathways in the CNS; receptor types; agonists and antagonists; general overview of therapeutic uses of drugs affecting neurotransmitter systems. - Neurological and psychiatric disorders – and drugs used to treat them
Parkinson's and Alzheimer diseases: mechanisms of action, efficacy and side-effects of commonly used pharmacological treatments.
Epilepsy: mechanisms of action, efficacy and side-effects of commonly used antiepileptics.
Cephalea and migraine: mechanisms of action, efficacy and side-effects of drugs used for prevention and treatment.
Anxiety and insomnia: mechanisms of action, efficacy and side-effects of anxiolytics and hypnotics.
Major depression and bipolar disorder: mechanisms of action, efficacy and side-effects of antidepressants and mood stabilizers.
Psychoses and schizophrenia: mechanisms of action, efficacy and side-effects of antipsychotic drugs.
Prerequisites
Previous knowledge of the basic principles of chemistry, biochemistry, and of anatomy, physiology and pathology of peripheral and central nervous systems is required.
Teaching form
The teaching will be performed in attendance, except for ministerial changes due to the COVID pandemic situation.
The language is English.
Textbook and teaching resource
Goodman and Gilman's The pharmacological basis of therapeutics, 13th ed. (2018) McGraw-Hill Education.
Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology, 7th ed. (2021) Cambridge Medicine.
Semester
First (fall) semester.
Assessment method
Multiple choice test and oral examination.
Office hours
On appointment.
