Neurobiology

Neuropsychopharmacology

Course objectives

The course has will discuss the different neural systems and classical pharmacological tool. The course will also address animal models of the main nervous and mental illnesses. Knowledge and undertanding The student: - knows correctly the terminology - knows the main neurotransmitter systems - knows the most common animal models of nervous and mental pathologies Ability to apply knowledge and comprehension - the student is able to correctly utilize psychopharmacology terminology - the student is able to utilize animal models of nervous systems pathologies - the student is able to utilize his knowledge to outline a psychopharmacology experiment.

Channel 1

ALDO BADIANI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program

INTRODUCTION Evidence-based medicine. Placebo effect. Introduction to Pharmacology. PHARMACODYNAMICS Mechanisms of drug action. Drug targets: G-protein coupled receptors, catalytic receptors, ligand-gated ion channels, other ion channels, nuclear receptors, transporters, enzymes. Drug sensitization and tolerance. Binding curves: definition of orthosteric and allosteric binding sites and ligands. Graduated concentration-response curves: definition of agonist, partial agonist, inverse agonists, antagonist. PHARMACOKINETICS Routes of administration. Absorption. Distribution. Biotransformation. Renal and extrarenal excretion of drugs. Pharmacokinetics parameters: bioavailability, compartments, volume of distribution, plasma half-life, clearance. CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Mechanisms of drug interaction mechanisms. Individual differences in pharmacology. Quantal dose-response curves. PHYSIO-PHARMACOLOGY OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION NEUROPHARMACOLOGY OF PAIN Definition of pain. Pain receptors and pain pathways. Opioid and non opioid analgesics. Definition of anesthesia. General anesthetics. Local anesthetics. NEUROPHARMACOLOGY OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS Dopaminergic system. Parkinson's Disease. NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY Antipsychotics. Antidepressants. Anxiolytics. Substances of abuse: psychostimulants, opioids, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, hallucinogenic drugs. Drug reward. Drug harm (including drug addiction). Drug addiction treatment.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Books

No textbook is required. The study material is represented by the lecture slides available on e-learning (https://elearning.uniroma1.it/).

Teaching mode

Lectures, elective teaching activities, e-learning course

Frequency

Lecture attendance is strongly recommended.

Exam mode

Oral exam.

Bibliography

Additional readings will be recommended by the lecturer during lectures.

Lesson mode