PHARMACOLOGY
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Bibliography
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
To fully understand the topics addressed in the present course, students should possess basic notions of cellular biology, human physiology and general and molecular pharmacology.
The learning outcomes will be assessed by an oral interview (about 30 minutes in duration) on topics selected from the syllabus; students may opt to take two separate interviews, in which case the program will be split into two parts (first interview: nervous system, inflammation and immunity; second interview: the remaining topics). However students are advised that:
(a) an interview on one half of the program is not a half-interview, i.e. students will take two full interviews for a single final grade;
(b) at the time of the second interview, the first half of the program is taken for granted, i.e. students are not authorized to remove the first part from their "mental archives"
Top grades (equal to or greater than 28/30), and possibly honors, will only be awarded to students that have actively participated to discussions during the course and who can demonstrate the ability to identify and discuss the general principles underlying drug action and the major therapeutic approaches, and to work out the connections between the various topics of the course.
The primary goal of the course is to provide the students with an updated knowledge of:
1. the major classes of drugs in current clinical use and their respective mechanisms of action, at a molecular, cellular and systemic level;
2. the pharmacological modulation of the function of the autonomic nervous system and of some of the functions and disease states of the central nervous system;
3. the pharmacological modulation of the function of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, of inflammatory and immunological processes and of diseases affecting the metabolism of sugars and lipids;
4. the basic concepts of antibacterial and antiviral chemotherapy.
1. Drugs acting on the nervous system
1.1 drugs acting on the peripheral and autonomous nervous systems;
1.2 current and prospective therapies of neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases)
1.3 drugs and pain: analgesics and anesthetics
2.Pharmacology of inflammation and immunity
2.1 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS)
2.2 corticosteroids
2.3 biological agents
2.4 immune suppressants
Special topic: Airway inflammation and asthma
3.Pharmacology of metabolic diseases
3.1 diabetes
3.2 dyslipidemias
3.3 obesity
4. Cardiovascular pharmacology
4.1 Pharmacology of vascular tone and volume regulation
4.2 Pharmacology of cardiac rhythm
4.3 Pharmacology of cardiac contractility
4.4 Pharmacology of hemostasis and thrombosis
5. Chemotherapy of infectious diseases
5.1 Antibacterial agents
5.2 Antimalarial agents
5.3 Antiviral agents
For each topic, the relevant experimental models in current pre-clinical use will also be illustrated and discussed.
The following reference textbooks are recommended:
D.E. Golan, E.J. Armstrong, A.W. Armstrong: Principles of Pharmacology - The Pathophysiologic Basis of Drug Therapy. 4th Edition, 2016, Wolters Kluwer.
F. Clementi, G. Fumagalli: Farmacologia Generale & Molecolare, IV edizione aggiornata, EDRA.
The visual materials presented during the lectures can be found on the Moodle platform, compatibly with the laws on copyright.
The course consists of ex cathedra lectures, but aims at creating a direct interaction between students and teacher, in order to stimulate the students' involvement in the course.
Lectures and the accompanying visual materials are a necessary, but not sufficient, source of information for the students. Thus, while consistent attendance is recommended, students are also strongly encouraged to refer to the recommendend textbooks.
Prof. Monti will receive the students by appointment, to be scheduled by e-mail (elena.monti@uninsubria.it).