Description
In recent years many developments, such as the use of levo dopa in Parkinsonism, the manipulation of excitation in epilepsy and the discovery of endogenous opioids, have brought basic neuropharmacology and the successful treatment of disorders of the C.N.S. much closer together. It is likely that future prospects for drug therapy in neurology and psychiatry will depend very much on a better understanding of neurotransmitter function and manipulation.Ìý
This neuropharmacology module tries to provide a basis for such an understanding. The evidence for different transmitters (from morphological, electrophysiological, pharmacological and biochemical studies) is evaluated so as to build up a picture of their pre- and post-synaptic actions and their interactions in specific pathways and brain areas. This knowledge is then applied to a consideration of various disease states and drug action. Special emphasis is given to neurotransmitter function and malfunction in epilepsy, Parkinsonism, memory, cell death and pain states and to the mode of action of drugs in these conditions.Ìý
Students will attend a comprehensive series of lectures on these issues given by experts in the field.Ìý
Indicative Lecture Topics (based on 2023/2024 syllabus)Ìý
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Fundamentals of NeuropharmacologyÌý
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Transmitter systems and their modulationÌý
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Transmitter release mechanismsÌý
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Neuropharmacological techniquesÌý
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Glutamate receptors and fast transmissionÌý
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Glutamate Receptors and diseaseÌý
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Metabolic glutamate receptorsÌý
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Neuropharmacology of memoryÌý
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Atypical transmittersÌý
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GABA-A Inhibition and epilepsyÌý
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GABA-B and diseaseÌý
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Cholinergic Transmission – Nicotinic aspectsÌý
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Cholinergic transmission: Muscarinic aspectsÌý
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Calcium channels and diseaseÌý
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Alzheimer's diseaseÌý
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Parkinson's diseaseÌý
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Pain and analgesicsÌý
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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