Neuropharmacology
| Module title | Neuropharmacology |
|---|---|
| Module code | CSC4009 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Kate Ellacott (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 75 |
|---|
Module description
The nervous system is central to the regulation of all aspects of physiology and behaviour. In this module you will learn how altering nervous system signalling using drugs leads to changes in physiology and behaviour with beneficial or detrimental consequences for human health. You will investigate why some substances historically used as therapeutics have also been co-opted for “recreational” use and will develop an understanding of the associated complexities. Particular consideration will be paid to possible side effects and the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of drug dependence and tolerance.
CSC 2006 Foundations in Neuroscience or CSC 2005 Introduction to Pharmacology are pre-requisite for this module. This module is optional for students studying BSc Medical Sciences (Neurosciences), BSc Medical Sciences (Pharmacology & Therapeutics) and other BSc Medical Sciences pathways. Students in other disciplines may take the module if they meet the pre-requisites (CSC 2006 or CSC 2005) or at the discretion of the module convenor.
Module aims - intentions of the module
Illustrated using examples of well-known neuroactive substances such as cannabis, nicotine and amphetamine, you will learn about the complexities of drug-action in the CNS. Through a combination of lectures and seminars focused on primary research literature you will begin to understand the molecular basis underlying the modulation of CNS signalling by drugs, including the development of dependence and tolerance. You will also learn about the challenges of designing new CNS-acting drugs and discover how advances in basic research are driving the development of novel therapeutics.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Distinguish between the principal types of ligand-effector interactions that affect neural activity, providing examples of each.
- 2. Recognise the complexities of neural signalling in the CNS and give examples of how drugs may act on specific neural pathways to differentially regulate physiology and behaviour
- 3. Explain the principal challenges associated with designing drugs that act in the CNS to modulate physiology and behaviour
- 4. Explain the molecular mechanism underlying the development of drug dependence and tolerance, illustrated by specific examples.
- 5. Critically evaluate the latest primary research in neuropharmacology, demonstrating an in-depth understanding of the underlying research methodology.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Show a clear understanding of the principles behind good experimental design and data communication
- 7. Evaluate the specific challenges in data collection within the discipline of neuropharmacology research
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Critically evaluate and synthesise primary sources of information.
- 9. Exemplify critical thinking in the construction and analysis of oral and written arguments
- 10. Produce clear scientific writing.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:
At the beginning of each week a “drug of the week”, exemplifying key neuropharmacological concepts, will be introduced to you in a one hour lecture. Background material will be presented and molecular targets and physiological effects discussed. Examples of drugs that may be covered include:
- Ketamine
- Diazepam
- Cocaine
- Nitrous Oxide (Laughing gas)
- MDMA (Ecstasy)
- Cannabis
- Nicotine
- Alcohol
Every week you will have a two-hour journal club in which the discussion of a related primary research paper is facilitated an academic who specialises in the topic. During the module you will write a “News and Views” style commentary article about a primary research paper selected from a list of available options. This article will form part of the module assessment. To help you prepare you will have a one-hour interactive small-group tutorial with the specialist academic who selected the paper that will be the focus of your “News and Views” style commentary.
At the end of the module you will be assessed on the content of the lectures and journal club sessions in a final written exam made up of short answer and data interpretation questions.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | 115 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching | 14 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching | 20 | Interactive journal club sessions |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching | 1 | News and Views assessment preparation tutorial |
| Guided Independent Study | 30 | Literature searches, reading and preparation for journal club sessions. |
| Guided Independent Study | 10 | Preparation for assessed News and views style summary of a primary research paper |
| Guided Independent Study | 75 | Reading and preparation for lectures and exam |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation in tutorial to discuss development of News and views article assessment | 1 hour | 1-10 | Verbal |
| Online Practice SAQ and data interpretation questions | 5 questions | 1-6, 10 | Online model answers |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 60 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short answer question and data interpretation exam | 60 | 2 hours | 1-6, 10 | Written (on request) |
| News and views style summary of a primary research paper | 40 | 1000 words | 1-10 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short answer question and data interpretation exam (60%) | Short answer question and data interpretation exam (2 hours) | 1-6, 10 | Ref/def period |
| News and views style summary of a primary research paper (40%) | News and views style summary of a primary research paper (1000 words) | 1-10 | Ref/def period |
Re-assessment notes
Please access the Student Handbook for guidance.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
1. ‘From Neuron to Brain’ 5 th Edition (2012), Nicholls et al, ISBN: 978-0878936090 – For reference/ revision of material from Foundations in Neuroscience. Consult as needed
2. ‘Pharmacology’ 8 th Edition (2015), Rang et al, ISBN: 978-0702053627, Section 4: The Nervous System, Chapters 36-38, 40, 46-48
3. ‘Psychopharmacology: Drugs, the brain and behaviour’, 2nd Edition (2013), Meyer & Quenzer, ISBN:978-0878935109, Chapters 1-10, 11-16
4. ‘Drugs, addiction and the brain’, 1st Edition (2014), Koob, Arends & Le Moal, ISBN: 978-0123869371
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | CSC2006 Foundations in Neuroscience or CSC2005 Introduction to Pharmacology |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 15/08/14 |
| Last revision date | 24/04/2018 |
