PHAR30080 Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative and Psychiatric Illness

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module forms part of the Stage 3 core curriculum in Pharmacology and Neuroscience B.Sc. degree programmes. The course introduces the student to the basic neurobiology and current treatment strategies for neurodegenerative and psychiatric brain disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, ischaemia, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety. The student will also learn about anaesthetics and analgesics, drug classes that achieve sedation/unconsciousness and pain relief, respectively, by inhibiting nerve function. Practical classes measure the effects of drugs on the enzyme glutamine synthetase, and on gastrointestinal muscle. Students are also trained to analyse drug effects on animal behaviour, based on video recordings.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Describe the neurobiology of psychotic, neurotic and mood disorders and review current therapeutic approaches to their treatment.
2. Describe the neurobiology of neurodegenerative disorders and their treatment.
3. Explain the role of excessive neural activity in epilepsy and ischaemia and assess current therapeutic approaches employed to treat these brain disorders.
4. Describe the pharmacology of anaesthetic and analgesic drug classes.
5. Demonstrate laboratory skills in line with the practical component of the module.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Tutorial

0
Seminar (or Webinar)

24
Practical

15
Specified Learning Activities

10
Autonomous Student Learning

61
Total

110
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The theoretical content of this module is delivered by lectures. The lectures are complemented by laboratory sessions which are designed to develop laboratory skills, both technical and analytical. Students write reports on each laboratory session which encourages the development of scientific writing skills. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

see recommendations

Learning Recommendations:

It is recommended that students taking this module have an understanding of the autonomic nervous system and are familiar with the basic principles of pharmacology (pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics).


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
PHAR30060 - CNS Diseases


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: End-of-trimester examination. 2 hour End of Trimester Exam Yes Graded No

70
Continuous Assessment: Practical reports (1 per practical) and practical MCQs (1 set per practical) Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will be given individual feedback on their lab reports.

Name Role
Dr Olga Baron Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Gary Brennan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor John Crean Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Keith Murphy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Sara Knezevic Tutor
Dr Paula Ventura da Silva Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 10 Wed 10:00 - 12:50
Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 12 Wed 10:00 - 12:50
Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 8 Wed 10:00 - 12:50
Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 10 Thurs 10:00 - 12:50
Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 12 Thurs 10:00 - 12:50
Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 8 Thurs 10:00 - 12:50
Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 10 Wed 10:00 - 12:50
Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 12 Wed 10:00 - 12:50
Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 8 Wed 10:00 - 12:50
Practical Offering 4 Week(s) - 10 Thurs 10:00 - 12:50
Practical Offering 4 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 12 Thurs 10:00 - 12:50
Practical Offering 4 Week(s) - 8 Thurs 10:00 - 12:50
Autumn