Neuropharmacology
| Module title | Neuropharmacology |
|---|---|
| Module code | NEU2019 |
| Academic year | 2022/3 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Miguel Dasilva Ogando (Lecturer) Dr Tom Ridler (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 100 |
|---|
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 been co-opted for recreational use and will start to consider some of the associated complexities.
NEU1006 Introduction to Neuroscience (formerly CSC1006) is a pre-requisite for this module. This module is mandatory for students studying BSc Neuroscience, and optional for other BSc Medical Sciences pathways. Students in other disciplines may take the module if they meet the pre-requisites.
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 Central Nervous System (CNS). Through a combination of lectures and workshops you will begin to understand the molecular basis underlying the modulation of CNS signalling by drugs. You will also learn about how advances in basic research are driving the development of novel therapeutics for CNS disorders.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Identify the different pharmacological modes of action of ligands in the CNS
- 2. Distinguish between the principal types of ligand-effector interactions that affect neural activity, providing examples of each.
- 3. Identify the classes of receptors in the CNS, differentiating the different modes of downstream signalling and recognising the relative timescales of each
- 4. Recognise the complexities of neural signalling in the CNS and give examples of how ligands may act on different neural pathways to regulate physiology and behaviour
- 5. Distinguish between neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, demonstrating understanding of the functional difference between the two
- 6. Compare the relative modes of action of different commonly used recreational drugs
- 7. Explain the principal challenges associated with designing drugs that act in the CNS to modulate physiology and behaviour
- 8. Evaluate the latest primary research in neuropharmacology, demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of the underlying research methodology.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. Explain the principles of good experimental design and data communication
- 10. 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...
- 11. Evaluate primary sources of information.
- 12. Produce clear scientific writing.
Syllabus plan
The module’s precise content will vary from year to year, but the following information gives a description of the typical structure:
The module begins with an introductory workshop in week 1 to outline the broad aims and structure of the module and introduce the assessments. In week 1, there will also be a session focused on skills for reading scientific literature and writing commentaries on research articles
The next nine weeks are divided into three blocks. At the beginning of each block, you will receive an online lecture focused on methods in neuropharmacology. For the remaining online lectures in each block different drugs exemplifying key neuropharmacological concepts will be introduced; background material will be presented, molecular targets and associated physiological and behavioural effects discussed. Examples of drugs that may be covered include:
• Ketamine
• Diazepam
• Cocaine
• Nitrous Oxide (Laughing gas)
• MDMA (Ecstasy)
• Cannabis
• Nicotine
At the end of each three-week block, you will have a two-hour workshop in groups. These sessions will be focused on learning to interpret data from the primary scientific research literature and applying the knowledge learned from the lectures to answering formative questions, which will help you prepare for the exam.
In the final week of the module there is an exam information and preparation workshop.
During the module you will write a scientific commentary article about a primary research paper. This article will form part of the module assessment. To help you prepare you will have interactive group tutorials with a specialist academic.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | 134 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 1 | 1 x 1-hour module introduction session |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 1 | 1 x 1-hour scientific reading workshop |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 6 | 6 x 1-hour news and views workshops |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 6 | 3 x 2-hour data interpretation workshops |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 1 | 1 x 1-hour exam preparation workshop |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching | 1 | 1 x 1-hour module wrap session |
| Guided Independent Study | 20 | 20 x 1-hour online lecture videos |
| Guided Independent Study | 10 | Preparation for workshops. |
| Guided Independent Study | 20 | Preparation for news and views assessment |
| Guided Independent Study | 84 | 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 paper which is subject of the news and views scientific commentary assessment | 3 hours | 1-11 | Oral |
| Practice MCQ, SAQ and data interpretation questions (in-class and online) | 6 hours | 1-12 | Oral feedback (in-class) and 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 | 40 | 2 hours | 1-11 | Written (on request) |
| News and views style scientific commentary of a primary research paper | 60 | 1000 words | 1-12 | Written |
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) | 1-11 | Ref/def period |
| News and views style scientific commentary of a primary research paper (40%) | Scientific commentary style summary of a primary research paper (1,000 words) | 1-12 | Ref/def period |
Re-assessment notes
Please refer to the TQA section on full guidance for Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
1. ‘From Neuron to Brain’ 5th Edition (2012), Nicholls et al, ISBN: 978-0878936090 – For reference/ revision of material from Foundations in Neuroscience. Consult as needed
2. ‘Pharmacology’ 8th 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, Chapters 1-3, 9
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | NEU1006 or CSC1006 |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/02/2021 |
| Last revision date | 24/01/2022 |
