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PHAR30080

Academic Year 2024/2025

Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative and Psychiatric Illness (PHAR30080)

Subject:
Pharmacology
College:
Science
School:
Biomolecular & Biomed Science
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Keith Murphy
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

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 neuropsychiatric 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.

About this Module

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.

Indicative Module Content:

The course introduces the student to the basic neurobiology and current treatment strategies for neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric 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. The course material will be supported by the relevant chapters of the recommended course textbook, Rang and Dale's Pharmacology.

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 content of this module is delivered in 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 Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): End-of-trimester essay question examination (70% of module grade). End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
70
 No
Practical Skills Assessment: Practical reports and assessment test based on the practical component of the module (30% of module grade). Week 4, Week 6, Week 8, Week 10, Week 11 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No

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
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
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 10 Wed 10:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 12 Wed 10:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 8 Wed 10:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 10 Thurs 10:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 12 Thurs 10:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 8 Thurs 10:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 10 Wed 10:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 12 Wed 10:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 8 Wed 10:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 4 Week(s) - 10 Thurs 10:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 4 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 12 Thurs 10:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 4 Week(s) - 8 Thurs 10:00 - 12:50
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