Learning objectives
The course aims at providing the necessary methodological tools for understanding the molecular basis of drug action, with particular reference to drugs of the central nervous system and some classes of chemiotherapics drugs.
Knowledge and understanding: the relationships between chemical structure and pharmaceutical, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties,the study of the chemical and physico-chemical properties of the drugs, the mechanism of action, the most important biotransformations and metabolic considerations, the classification of the drugs and the nomenclature.
Applying knowledge and understanding: through the frequency of the course the student will be able to apply his knowledge to the interpretation of the mechanism of action and the pharmacological profile of the drugs and their metabolic characteristics, the discussion of the
structure-activity relationships, the definition of a correct nomenclature according to international rules, the ability to communicate with people with scientific training in different areas such as pharmacology, pharmaceutical technology, biotechnology.
Communication skilles: being treated the acquisition of a formally correct language, is stimulated the ability to express the contents in a clear and straightforward way.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of organic chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology.
Course unit content
Neurotransmmitters of the Nervous System.
Drugs acting on the Central Nervous System: CNS Depressors and CNS Stimulants.
Local anestetics.
Agents for control of gastric acidity.
Antineoplastic agents.
Antiviral agents.
Full programme
Neurotransmmitters of the Nervous System.
Drugs acting on the Central Nervous System:
CNS Depressors: General anesthetics. Sedative-Hypnotics. Narcotic analgesics. Drugs effective in the therapy of the epilepsies. Drugs effective for Parkinson's disease. Spasmolytic agents. Anxiolytic agents. Antipsychotic agents. Local anestetics.
CNS Stimulants: Analeptics. Psycoanaleptics and MAO-inhibitors. Anti-obesity drugs. Antidepressants. Hallucinogens.
Antineoplastic agents: Alkylating agents. Antimetabolites. Antimitotic drugs. Antibiotics. Topoisomerase inhibitors. Ormones and antagonists.
Antiviral agents: Tiosemicarbazones and cyclic amines. Phosphonates. Nucleosides and acyclic nucleosides. Neuroaminidase inhibitors. Antiherpesvirus agents. Antiretroviral agents.
Agents for control of gastric acidity.
Bibliography
W.O. FOYE: “Principi di Chimica Farmaceutica”, Piccin.
G.L. PATRICK: "Introduzione alla Chimica Farmaceutica", EdiSES.
Teaching methods
Through oral lessons will be presented and discussed matters relating to the course content.
Assessment methods and criteria
The assessment of the achievement of the objectives of the course is done through oral examination. Two arguments are submitted to the student. For the determination of the mark the following descriptors are adopted:
• knowledge and understanding of the subjects (up to 12/30);
• ability to apply the knowledge gained mastery of method (up to 12/30);
• ability to communicate their knowledge and skills in verbal form
through the appropriate use of a language of their own discipline (up to
6/30).
Other information
Lectures are conducted with the aid of slides whose contents are available to students. The teaching material available online is not a replacement but a supplementary of reference texts, and a guide to a better understanding of the topics to be studied.
