Drugs Affecting the Nervous System

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

BSc students:

BBiomed students:

Students wishing to undertake this subject as breadth will need the approval of the subject co-ordinator.

None

None

This subject cannot be taken if credit has been previously obtained for 534-302 Neuropharmacology.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

The working of the brain and nervous system is an important frontier of modern medicine and nerves are the target for many important drugs. This subject will address how drugs modulate the processes of neuronal communication and survival in the context of the management of mood and emotional disorders, addictive behaviours, neuro-degenerative diseases, pain and epilepsy. This subject will also discuss strategies for the development of future therapeutics. Students will gain an appreciation of how a detailed understanding of pathophysiological processes is important for the rational development of new therapeutics.

On successful completion of this unit, students will have developed a solid understanding of the nature of and drug treatments for a range of central nervous system diseases. They will have a knowledge of the nature of research into central nervous system disorders and of the therapeutic and the undesirable actions of key therapeutics and recreational drugs. An understanding of how knowledge about pathophysiological processes is important for the rational drug development.

• Continuing assessments comprising LMS delivered assessments and a multiple choice question assessment delivered during the semester (30%)
• A 2 hr examination in the examination period (70%)

None

Nestler, Hymen & Malenka, Molecular Neuropharmacology McGraw Hill.

Golan et al., Principles of Pharmacology, 3rd Edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

By the end of this unit students will:

• Be adept at learning in a range of ways.
• Be able to examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge pertaining to drugs.
• Have an understanding of the scientific basis of the action of drugs in the central nervous system.
• Be able to integrate key pharmacological and other medical research principles as they relate to neuropharmacology.
• Be adept at critical thinking and problem solving.
• Participate in collaborative learning.

This subject is available to students enrolled in the BSc, Biomedicine degree.