Enrollment year
2022/2023
Academic discipline
BIO/14 (PHARMACOLOGY)
Department
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY "LAZZARO SPALLANZANI"
Curriculum
PERCORSO COMUNE
Period
2nd semester (01/03/2023 - 15/06/2023)
Lesson hours
72 lesson hours
Activity type
WRITTEN TEST
Prerequisites
This is an introductory course on the organization of the mammalian nervous system from the neurochemical, neuropharmacological and neurogenetic point of view. Basic knowledge in biochemistry, pharmacology, cell biology and cell physiology, genetics and molecular biology is desirable.
Learning outcomes
To familiarize with the organization of the mammalian synapse from the signaling point of view.
To characterize the different neurotransmitter systems acting in the brain.
To understand how the brain integrates different neurochemical mechanisms to produce behavior and cognition.
To acquire knowledge on the drugs affecting brain function via modulation of neurotransmitter systems.
To learn the genetic bases of major neuropsychiatric disorders
Course contents
The Programme of study is divided in three Modules: Neurochemistry, Neuropharmacology and Neurogenetics.
Main topics that will be covered are:
Module A: Neurochemistry
Introduction to pharmacology
Methods in Neuropharmacology
Introduction to Neurotransmitters
Cell Signaling in the Brain
Glutamate and GABA
Catecholamines
Acetylcholine and Serotonin
Neuropeptides and Atypical Neurotransmitters
Module B: Neuropharmacology
Introduction to Drug Addiction
Psychostimulants
Opioids
Nicotine and Caffeine
Alcohol
Cannabinoids
Hallucinogenic Drugs
Dissociative Anesthetics
Module C: Neurogenetics
Introduction to Behavioural Genetics
Genetics of Pair Bonding
Genetics of altruism
Genetics of empathy
Genetics of Prosopagnosia
Genetics of alcoholism
Genetics of violence
Genetics of Autism
Genetics of Schizophrenia
Genetics of Language
Genetics of Pathological Gambling
Teaching methods
Lectures will be held in presence and recordings will be made available to students. Formative assessment methods during the Lectures (e.g. mentimeter) will be occasionally used to evaluate learning progress and understanding of the topics.
Reccomended or required readings
Slides in PDF format will be provided after each presentation. Scientific articles may also be suggested throughout the Lectures.
Suggested reference textbooks are:
Psychopharmacology: Drugs, The Brain, and Behavior, Third Edition, 2018, Meyer & Quenzer, Sinauer Associates
Molecular Neuropharmacology: A Foundation for Clinical Neuroscience, Fourth Edition, 2020, Nestler, Hyman and Malenka, McGraw-Hill Medical
Basic Neurochemistry. Principles of Molecular, Cellular, and Medical Neurobiology, Eighth Edition, 2012, Brady, Academic Press
Rosenberg's Molecular and Genetic Basis of Neurological and Psychiatric Disease, 6th Edition, 2020, Rosenberg and Pascual, Academic Press
Neurobiology of Disease, Second Edition, 2016, Johnston, Adams and Fatemi, Oxford University Press
Assessment methods
Assessment will be divided in three parts. The first two, related to the Neurochemistry and Neuropharmacology Modules, will be written (multiple choice questions and some open questions). The third, related to the Neurogenetics Module, will consist of an oral assessment.
Final Marks will result from the mean of the three assessments.
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