PHAR30080 Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative and Psychiatric Illness

Academic Year 2020/2021

This module forms part of the Stage 3 core curriculum in Pharmacology and Neuroscience B.Sc. degree in 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 whole animals, 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 neurodegenerative disorders and their treatment2. Explain the role of excessive neural activity in epilepsy and ischaemia and assess current therapeutic approaches employed to treat these brain disorders.3. Describe the neurobiology of psychotic, neurotic and mood disorders and review current therapeutic approaches to their treatment.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
Continuous Assessment: Practical reports (1 per practical) and practical MCQs (1 per practical) Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

30
Assignment: Essay assignment on three topics from the course. Students will have three days to complete the assignment. The assignment will be run in week 12 of the trimester. Week 12 n/a Graded No

70

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 Gary Brennan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor John Crean Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Keith Murphy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Paula Ventura da Silva Tutor