PSYCHFARMACOLOGY

General Module

Course Sheet

Course code:

27050B

Academic Year of enrolment:

2017

Year of supply:

2018/2019

Type of Course:

Related/Supplementary

Degree:

Course of 2nd Cycle Degree in CLINICAL AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

Disciplinary Sector:

Pharmacology

Is part of:

GENETICA CLINICA, PSICOFARMACOLOGIA, FONDAMENTI DI NEUROLOGIA (C.I.)

Location:

CHIETI

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

BALLERINI Patrizia

Cycle:

Second semester

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

Prerequisites:

The Student must have basic knowledge of neurobiology, neuroanatomy and physiology.

Objectives

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The course is inserted within the specific objectives of the study program which aims to provide the student with advanced knowledge also in the biomedical field. This include, beyond basic knowledge in biology and genetics also the development of basic knowledge in neuropsychopharmacology and the use / abuse of substances, with particular reference to alcohol related problems. Therefore, in short, the course of Psychopharmacology aims to provide the student with a preparation on the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics that reflect the effects of drugs active at the level of the Central Nervous System. The psychologist, in his/her activity, collaborates with other health professionals (eg psychiatrists, neurologists, nurses etc.) within a multidisciplinary team in the management of numerous neuropsychiatric pathologies. Thus the course aims to allow the student to develop knowledge on the pharmacological basis of the therapy by integrating notions related to pharmacokinetics, molecular mechanism of action and the interaction of the single classes of drugs with the pathophysiological and molecular mechanisms of the main psychopathologies for which the above drugs are proposed. Finally, the course aims to allow the student to develop knowledge on the mechanisms of action of the most frequently used substances of abuse and on their pharmacological treatment.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course the student, as far as his / her competence is concerned, will be able to: i) know the pharmacological basis of the therapy of the main psychopathologies and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinosn's disease; ii) know the main behavioral and / or unwanted effects of psychotropic drugs; iii) understand the potential interactions between psychotropic drugs and between psychotropic drugs and psychotherapies (eg cognitive-behavioral therapy); iv) understand the biological reasons underlying the variability of drug response and the critical importance of adherence to therapy; v) know the pharmacological basis of the treatment of the main forms of addiction to substances of abuse.
The course will help to provide the student with tools that will enable him to improve his ability to relate with other professional figures (medical doctors, nurses) who, in an increasingly multidisciplinary approach, will be called to take care of the client / patient.

Contents

The course includes two sections:
1) General pharmacology. This section briefly describes: i) principles of Pharmacokinetics, including drug absorption and drug distribution with particular reference to the achievement of therapeutic targets present in the Central Nervous System, and brief hints on the metabolism and excretion of drugs; ii) principles of Pharmacodynamics including drug-receptor interaction, receptors and signal transduction with particular reference to neurotransmitter systems serotoninergic, noradrenergic, dopaminergic, cholinergic and glutamatergic; iii) principles of pharmacogenetics will also be described.
2) Special Pharmacology. This section describes the pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic and therapeutic profile of: sedative-hypnotic drugs, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressant drugs, drugs used in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases with particular reference to Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The neurobiological bases and pharmacological treatment of different forms of addiction (opioids, psychostimulants, alcohol, nicotine, cannabinoids, hallucinogens) will be also described.

Extended Syllabus

Principles of Pharmacokinetics: definition of drug, brief description of the processes of absorption, metabolization, distribution and excretion of drugs.
Principles of Pharmacodynamics: drug-receptor interaction, receptors and signal transduction of the main neurotransmitter systems, definition of agonism and pharmacological antagonism.
Principles of pharmacogenetics.
Placebo and nocebo effect of drugs.
Anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs with particular reference to benzodiazepines (pharmacodynamic profile, pharmacokinetic and therapeutic indications)
Antidepressant drugs (pharmacodynamic profile, pharmacokinetic and therapeutic indications)
Mood-mood stabilizing drugs (pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic and therapeutic indications)
Antipsychotic drugs of I and II generation (pharmacodynamic profile, pharmacokinetic and therapeutic indications)
Elements of geriatric psychopharmacology: neurobiological bases and pharmacological treatment of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
Pharmacological treatment of attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Neurobiological bases and pharmacological treatment of different forms of addictions (with particular reference to opioids, psychostimulants, alcohol, nicotine, cannabinoids, hallucinogens)

Recommended Bibliography

Consultation of specific chapters on classic pharmacology texts such as :
“Farmacologia”, HP Rang, MM Dale, JM Ritter, PK Moore, Casa Ed. Ambrosiana (ultima edizione);
Specific texts such as:
“Farmacologia”, HP Rang, MM Dale, JM Ritter, PK Moore, Casa Ed. Ambrosiana (ultima edizione); “Psicofarmacologia per Psicologi”, C Faravelli, Ed. Il Mulino (ultima edizione); “Psicofarmacologia per psicologi” MG Manfredonia, Raffella Cortina Editore,
For further information: “Farmacologia: principi di base e applicazioni terapeutiche” F Rossi, V Cuomo, C Riccardi (ultima edizione).

Any additional materials will be made available by the teacher to supplement the recommended texts and uploaded to the dedicated website.

Teaching Methods

The teaching is divided into lectures whose purpose is to transmit concepts, information and schemes.

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

The student must register for the examination session on Esse3. The level of learning related to the Psychopharmacology module takes place in written form with multiple choice questions (each question has 4 answers, of which only one is correct) involving the areas of general pharmacology and special pharmacology present in the program.
The Psychopharmacology test consists of 10 questions within a test of 30 questions overall (the other 20 are divided into 10 of genetics, 10 of neurology which are the other two modules of the integrated course). The test is administered on paper and must be completed within 45 minutes. The test result is communicated through the Esse3 system.
Sufficiency is guaranteed by providing 18 correct answers (18/30). Each correct answer is worth one point.
The exam mode and its evaluation are indicated by the teacher at the beginning of the lessons.

Students who have obtained at least 18/30 to the written test can also ask for integration with an oral examination by-email. The oral examination will be carried out within one week from the publication of the results.

Contacts/More Information

Student Reception
Every Monday from 9.30 to 11.30 at the studio in the CeSI-MeT, Campus Universitario, Via Luigi Polacchi n.11, 66013 Chieti Scalo. Tel 0871-541325

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Aree