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BSc Cell Biology with a Modern Language

Year of entry: 2021

Course unit details:
Drugs & the Brain

Unit code BIOL21312
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Offered by School of Biological Sciences
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Drugs and the Brain outlines the important types of drugs, including anaesthetics, antipsychotics and antidepressants, which are used to influence activity in the brain. You will learn how these drugs act on neurotransmitters and the side effects that their actions can cause.

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Drugs: From Molecules to Man BIOL10822 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Clinical Drug Development BIOL21302 Co-Requisite Recommended
BIOL21312 Pre & Co-requisites are BIOL10822

Aims

To describe

  • the aetiology and symptomology of a range of brain disorders
  • the range of mechanisms by which drugs can interfere with neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS)
  • how neurotransmitter activities can be modified by drugs leading to the rational treatment of CNS disorders
  • how an understanding of neurotransmitters and mechanisms of drug action can lead to more selective treatment of CNS disorders.

 

Learning outcomes

After completing the unit and recommended reading, students should have an understanding of:

  • basic mechanisms of brain disorders
  •     important classes of drugs used in medicine and/or biological research to influence central neuronal activity, particularly in humans
  •     the mechanisms of action of these drugs in terms of their effects on major neurotransmitters
  •     mechanism-related drug side-effects

 

 

Syllabus

•       Introduction to neuropharmacology

•       The central synapse: neurotransmitter systems as targets for drug therapy

•       Accessing the central synapse: the blood-brain barrier to drugs

•       Pharmacology of movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease

•       Pharmacology of general anaesthetics

•       Pharmacology of antipyretic-analgesic drugs

•       Pharmacology of opioid analgesic drugs

•       Pharmacology of antiepileptic drugs

•       Pharmacology of anxiolytic drugs

•       Pharmacology of CNS stimulants and psychotomimetics

•       Pharmacology of antipsychotic drugs

•       Pharmacology of antidepressant drugs

e-Learning Activity

Online assessment for formative feedback. A formative e-learning course with self-assessment activities will run alongside the lecture programme.

 

Employability skills

Group/team working
The material in the Blackboard discussion group has been healthy and interactive, with lots of student participation (ie not just asking questions, but helping one another)
Oral communication
Students may ask questions during/after the lecture.
Written communication
Through the use of Blackboard discussion board (see below)

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 5%
Written exam 95%

Online: 2 MCQ exams, (2.5% each). 1.5 hour written examination comprising 10 compulsory short answer questions (95%).

Feedback methods

Mid-sessional formative assessment / feedback. Post-exam guidance.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 1.5
Lectures 22
Independent study hours
Independent study 76.5

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Richard Prince Unit coordinator

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