ECTS credits ECTS credits: 3
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 51 Hours of tutorials: 3 Expository Class: 9 Interactive Classroom: 12 Total: 75
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary subject Master’s Degree RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology
Areas: Pharmacology
Center Faculty of Pharmacy
Call: Second Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
That the students acquire the necessary knowledge about the central nervous system (CNS) and how its functioning can be regulated through the administration of various drugs.
That they are able to discern between the different groups of drugs active on the CNS, their clinical application and how the presence of associated pathologies can condition their use.
Students will use various experimental models that reinforce the content seen in theoretical teaching.
Thematic blocks:
1.- Introduction to the study of the central nervous system (expository)
2.- Experimental design, basic experimentation and preclinical tests (practice)
3.- Pharmacological regulation of the functioning of the central nervous system (expository)
4.- Drug dependence (exhibition and seminars)
Schedule exhibition classes
1.- Introduction to the study of the central nervous system (CNS)
2.- Alzheimer's disease (AD)
3.- Parkinson's disease (PD)
4.- Other neuromotor diseases
5.- Opioids
6.- Antiepileptics and anticonvulsants
7.- General anesthetics
8.- Anxiolytics and hypnotics
9.- Antipsychotics
10.- Antidepressants and antimanics
11.- Other active drugs in the CNS
12.- Drug dependence and substance abuse
Practical classes program
A: In vivo studies
1.- Experimental animals: Legislation and training to use animals. Handling, marking, weighing and routes of drug administration.
2.- Preparation of drug solutions / suspensions. Dosage.
3.- Methods of general evaluation of drugs that can affect motility.
4.- Methods for the evaluation of potentially useful molecules for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
5.- Methods for the evaluation of potentially useful molecules such as anxiolytics / hypnotics / antidepressants / antipsychotics / ...
6.- Lesion induction techniques: Atlas and stereotaxic table.
7.- Microdialysis cannula / probe implantation techniques.
B: Ex vivo studies
1.- Obtaining of samples / preparation / analysis by HPLC / EC of neurotransmitters and metabolites.
C: In vitro studies
1.- Obtaining primary cultures of neurons and astrocytes. Neurotoxicity models and screening of molecules with neuroprotective activity.
2.- Spectrophotometric studies of enzymatic activity (MAO and ChEs).
Seminar program
1.- Opioids
2.- Cannabis
3.- Cocaine
4.- Amphetamines and synthetic drugs
5.- Alcohol and tobacco
Basic Bibliography
Goodman and Gilman. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. L.L. Brunton, R. Hilal-Dandan, B.C.
Knollmann. McGraw-Hill, 2018.
Farmacología fundamental. Eds. A. Velasco, L. San Román, J. Serrano, R. Martínez-Sierra, I. Cadavid.
McGraw-Hill-Interamericana, 2003. Farmacología humana. Eds. J. Florez, J.A. Armijo, A. Mediavilla. Elsevier-
Masson, 2008.
Farmacología. Eds. H.P. Rang, J.M. Ritter, R.J. Flower, G. Henderson. Elsevier – Churchill Livingstone, 2019.
Farmacología. Eds. M.J. Mycek, R.A. Harvey, P.C. Champe. McGraw-Hill, 2004.
Specific bibliography:
Rat brain atlas in stereotaxic coordinate. Eds. G. Paxinos, C. Watson. The Academic Press, 2013.
Bases biológicas dos trastornos psiquiátricos: Uma Abordagem Translacional. Eds. F. Kapczinski, J. Quevedo, I. Izquierdo. Artmed, 2012.
Psicofarmacología Esencial de Stahl. Eds. S.M. Stahl. Aulamédica, 2014.
Blood-brain barrier: Drug delivery and brain pathology. Eds. D. Kobiler, S. Lustig, S. Aspira. Kluwer
Academic / Plenum Publishers, 2001. Brain drug targeting: The future of brain drug development. Eds. W.M.
Pardridge. Cambridge University Press, 2001.
Handbook of experimental pharmacology. Dopamine in the CNS (Volume 154/I and 154/II). Eds. G. Di
Chiara. Springer, 2002.
Neurociencia. Eds. D. Purves, G.J. Augustine, D. Fitzpatrick, W.C. Hall, A.S. Lamantia, J.O. McNamara, S. M.
Willians. Panamericana, 2015
Frontiers in Clinical Drug Research: CNS and Neurological Disorders. Eds. Atta-ur-Rahman. Bentham e-Books,
2017
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Do a critical reading of scientific articles with content related to the topics covered in the course. Skills worked: CB1, CB5, CG1, CG3, CE1.
- Carry out an experimental design and propose new hypotheses based on known facts. Skills worked: CB2, CB4, CG2, CG4, CG7, CG9, CE2, CE4, CE5.
- Evaluate, present and discuss results obtained in basic and clinical drug research. Skills worked: CB3, CB4, CG1, CG5, CG8, CG8, CG9, CE10, CE13, CE14.
- Know the functioning of the CNS and its modulation through the use of different groups of drugs. Skills worked: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5, CG1, CG2, CG3, CG4, CG5, CG7, CG8, CG9, CE1, CE2, CE4, CE5, CE10, CE113, CE14.
The teaching activity will be carried out in person and using the official platforms of the USC: USC-Virtual (Moodle) and the Microsoft 365 suite programs (MS Teams, Forms, etc.)
a) Expository classes: The essential concepts will be exposed seeking the active involvement of the students in their learning process. The professors will use different resources (Virtual Campus of the USC, other online resources of the university, inter-university, etc.) to present the students with a previous selection of the information. In this way, it will be easier for students to incorporate new information, the relationship with previously acquired information, its fixation and, therefore, their significant learning, which will contribute to the dynamic generation of their own knowledge.
b) Seminars: Small groups will be organized to carry out various tasks / solve cases, which will be proposed to them throughout the course and, finally, present them on the agreed date. At the end of the course the student will be able to tackle, through teamwork and in a specified time, the resolution of real cases of the use of drugs that act on the CNS.
c) Practical classes: Students will be instructed in different experimental models of drug evaluation that work in the CNS. They will analyze the effect of prototype drugs (haloperidol, diazepam, imipramine, levodopa, etc.) useful in the treatment of different CNS pathologies. The practices will help the student to be able to propose valid experimental models to discover the potential effect on the CNS of a new molecule.
- Continuous assessment:
a) Participation / involvement in teaching activities (10% of the final grade). Attendance / participation in theoretical classes, seminars is compulsory and practices. At all times the participation / involvement of the student throughout the course will be taken into account. Evaluated competences: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5, CG1, CG2, CG3, CG4, CG5, CG7, CG8, CG9, CE1, CE2, CE4, CE5, CE10, CE113, CE14.
b) Individual work (10%) and team work (10%) (20% of the final grade): Students will have to carry out the proposed individual work and participate in a compulsory way in the teams that are formed. Each of the students must be responsible for the proper performance of the work that corresponds to them, which will be assigned by mutual agreement between them (the grade given by each of their teammates for the work done will be valued); In addition, they must participate in the work exhibitions that correspond to them. Evaluated competences: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5, CG1, CG2, CG3, CG4, CG5, CG7, CG8, CG9, CE1, CE2, CE4, CE5, CE10, CE113, CE14.
-Final exam:
The final exam is complementary to the continuous assessment and is mandatory for all students. It consists of two parts:
- Practical exam (20% of the final mark): Students will have to plan and implement an experimental / virtual model (in vitro / ex vivo / in vivo) for the evaluation of an active problem drug on the central nervous system. Evaluated competences: CB1, CB5, CB2, CB4, CG2, CG4, CG7, CG9, CE2, CE4, CE5.
- Theoretical exam (50% of the final grade): Students will take an exam that will contain descriptive questions and a test of the course contents. Evaluated competences: CB3, CB4, CG1, CG5, CG8, CG9, CE10, CE13, CE14.
Calculation of the final mark: The overall final mark for the subject will be obtained from the sum of the marks obtained in the continuous assessment and in the final exam.
In the case of fraudulent performance of any assessable activity, the provisions of the Regulations for the evaluation and academic performance of students and the review of USC grades will apply.
The subject exams will be carried out in person or online, depending on the health situation in which we find ourselves and in accordance with what is established by the health and academic authorities.
Optional subject. Theoretical - practical course of 3 ECTS
PRESENT WORK (hours)
Expository classes 9 h
Interactive class seminars 6 h
Interactive laboratory classes (computer / practical) 6 h
Exams and review 4 h
Total hours of classroom work: 25 h
PERSONAL WORK OF THE STUDENT (hours)
Autonomous study: 25 h
Resolution of exercises, works, practices, etc .: 25 h
Total hours of personal work of the student: 50 h
TOTAL HOURS OF WORK (face-to-face + personal)
25 h + 50 h = 75 h = 3 ECTS
Before starting the course, a prior review of fundamental concepts of anatomy, cytology, physiology, pathophysiology and biochemistry is recommended.
The course has been structured following a sequence that will facilitate the progressive acquisition of theoretical knowledge and skills, which is why student participation is necessary throughout its development.
The student will have contact with the teaching staff at all times, either in person or through the use of telematic means such as the Virtual Campus of the USC (Moodle Platform) or the Microsoft 365 suite (MS Teams, Forms, etc.) . By using these tools you can also access the content worked on in the exhibition classes, the resolution of doubts, the preparation of proposed works, etc. Complementary material such as diagrams, animations, videos, simulation programs, links to pages of interest, etc. will also be included.
Teachers who teach the subject with the credits for which each one is responsible; coordinator
(in case of several teachers)
José Ángel Fontenla Gil (Coordinador) 2 ECTS
María Dolores Viña Castelao 1 ECTS
Languages taught: Spanish / Galician / English *.
* Pharmaceutical simulation computer programs, teaching schemes, web pages, etc.
Jose Angel Fontenla Gil
Coordinador/a- Department
- Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology
- Area
- Pharmacology
- Phone
- 881814898
- joseangel.fontenla [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
María Dolores Viña Castelao
- Department
- Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology
- Area
- Pharmacology
- Phone
- 881815424
- mdolores.vina [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 16:30-18:30 | Grupo 1/CLE_01 | Spanish | COMPUTER ROOM 2 (laboratories) |
| 18:30-19:30 | Grupo 1/CLIS_01 | Spanish | COMPUTER ROOM 2 (laboratories) |
| Tuesday | |||
| 16:30-18:30 | Grupo 1/CLE_01 | Spanish | COMPUTER ROOM 2 (laboratories) |
| 18:30-19:30 | Grupo 1/CLIS_01 | Spanish | COMPUTER ROOM 2 (laboratories) |
| Wednesday | |||
| 16:30-17:30 | Grupo 1/CLE_01 | Spanish | COMPUTER ROOM 2 (laboratories) |
| 17:30-19:30 | Grupo 1/CLIS_01 | Spanish | COMPUTER ROOM 2 (laboratories) |
| Thursday | |||
| 16:30-18:30 | Grupo 1/CLE_01 | Spanish | COMPUTER ROOM 2 (laboratories) |
| 18:30-19:30 | Grupo 1/CLIS_01 | Spanish | COMPUTER ROOM 2 (laboratories) |
| Friday | |||
| 16:30-18:30 | Grupo 1/CLE_01 | Spanish | COMPUTER ROOM 2 (laboratories) |
| 18:30-19:30 | Grupo 1/CLIS_01 | Spanish | COMPUTER ROOM 2 (laboratories) |