Pharmacology of Synaptic transmission

Code:

PDN13_2

Acronym:

PDN13_2

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Neurosciences

Instance: 2022/2023 - SP

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Departamento de Biomedicina
Course/CS Responsible:	PhD Neurosciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
PDN	20	Current Studies Plan	1	-	3	14	81

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

This unit aims to provide knowledge on the sub-cellular organization of the neuron as to its specific excitability and electric signal transmission properties, and to provide an overview of the pharmacology of neurotransmission and neuromodulation, as well as of the drugs and medicines that influence these processes.

At the end of the course, students are expected to identify synaptic transmission as the major mechanism by which neurons communicate with each other and with effector cells, as well as recognise a large number of drugs with effects on neurotransmission and neuromodulation.

Learning outcomes and competences

This course teaches the basic concepts of pharmacology of neurotransmission and neuromodulation, as well as methodologies for their evaluation. This knowledge is fundamental for students who wish to develop research in the field of neurobiology. To this purpose, this course will include lectures and a Journal Club session, to promote independent learning and critical thinking that helps the student to identify and deal with real-life problems in their research activities.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Pharmacology of neurotransmission. Fundamental mechanisms of neurotransmitter release and actions. Presynaptic and postsynaptic receptors.

Pharmacological modulation of neurotransmitter release. Therapeutic use of neuromodulator drugs. Experimental design for the evaluation of neurotransmission and neuromodulation.

Adrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission and neuromodulation.

Cholinergic neurotransmission and neuromodulation.

Purinergic neurotransmission and neuromodulation.

Endocannabinoid system: neurotransmission and neuromodulation.

Excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission and neuromodulation by amino acids in the central nervous system: glutamate, aspartate, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine.

Gasotransmitters.

Mandatory literature

Laurence L. Brunton; Randa Hilal-Dandan; Björn C. Knollmann; Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 13th edition, McGraw-Hill Education, 2018

Complementary Bibliography

Ritter JM, Flower R, Henderson G, Loke YK, MacEwan D, Rang HP; Rang & Dale's Pharmacology, 9th edition, Elsevier, 2018
Serafim Guimarães, Daniel Moura, Patrício Soares da Silva; Terapêutica medicamentosa e suas bases farmacológicas, 6ª edição, Porto Editora, 2014
Burnstock G; Autonomic neurotransmission: 60 years since sir Henry Dale, Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol. 2009;49:1-30. doi: 10.1146/annurev.pharmtox.052808.102215
Boehm S, Kubista H; Fine tuning of sympathetic transmitter release via ionotropic and metabotropic presynaptic receptors, Pharmacol Rev. 2002 Mar;54(1):43-99. doi: 10.1124/pr.54.1.43

Teaching methods and learning activities

Methodologies: 1) Lectures covering the basic concepts of Pharmacology of Neurotransmission and Neuromodulation 2) small group Journal Club presentation on the Pharmacology of Neurotransmission and Neuromodulation.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	50,00
Teste	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	4,00
Estudo autónomo	59,00
Frequência das aulas	18,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

Students should attend at least 75% of the classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final classification will be obtained by the formula:

Final rating = 0.50*A+0.50*B

A – Journal Club assessment

B – Written assessment

Classification improvement

Students can request the possibility to perform a novel written test in order to improve the classification obtained in the normal evaluation moment; this second test will occur in the appeal evaluation moment ("Época de Recurso"). Journal Club assessment cannot be improved.