Σύστημα Ηλεκτρονικής Μάθησης Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης

The course is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the effects of drugs on the brain and behavior, with a focus on the latest developments in the field. Through an integrated approach that combines knowledge from neurosciences, pharmacology, psychology, and other related fields, students will learn about the neurochemical and neuroanatomical mechanisms underlying behavior and cognitive processes, as well as the development of drugs that can modify these processes. Special attention will be given to the treatment of psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, drug addiction and ethical and code of conduct aspects of psychopharmacology drug development and use. The course will equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to critically evaluate current research in the field and to develop safe and effective treatments for mental health disorders.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

1.  GENERAL

SCHOOL                                                           SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES

ACADEMIC UNIT                                              FACULTY of MEDICINE

LEVEL OF STUDIES                                           Postgraduate

COURSE CODE                                                  NEURO-202

SEMESTER OF STUDIES                                   2^nd

COURSE TITLE                                                  PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY

WEEKLY TEACHING HOURS                            4

CREDITS                                                            4

COURSE TYPE                                                   Elective

PREREQUISITE COURSES                                 None

LANGUAGE OF TEACHING and EXAMS:        English

COURSE WEBSITE (URL)                                https://elearn.uoc.gr/course/edit.php?id=4366

2. LEARNING OUTCOMES

Psychopharmacology is the study of the effects of drugs on the brain and behavior. It aims to understand the neurochemical and neuroanatomical mechanisms that underlie behavior and mental processes, as well as to develop drugs that can modify these processes with the aim of treating psychiatric disorders. Psychopharmacology is an interdisciplinary field which assimilates knowledge from neuroscience, pharmacology, psychology and other fields. Its goal is to develop safe and effective drugs to relieve the symptoms of mental illness and improve the quality of life of people with psychiatric disorders.

Upon successful completion of the course, the students will have acquired the necessary knowledge, abilities and skills to understand, interpret and communicate on psychopharmacological topics. In particular, they will be able to:

• understand the basic principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics as well as the basic molecular, cellular, neurochemical and neuroanatomical mechanisms of action of drugs used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders
• clearly communicate their conclusions and knowledge on psychopharmacology topics and the rationale and logical assumptions on which they are based, both to specialized and non-specialized audiences
• collect and interpret relevant information regarding the safety, efficacy, effectiveness, indications, side effects, and potential addictive properties of drugs used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders or substances that could potentially affect behavior, and shape related opinions and concerns.
• recognize the value of personalized pharmacotherapy and communicate information, ideas, problems, and solutions to both specialized and non-specialized audiences.
• combine the knowledge they gained during their undergraduate studies with the knowledge provided by this course and handle complex issues, as well as formulate opinions even with incomplete or limited information. These opinions will include considerations of the social and ethical responsibilities arising from the development and use of drugs used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders
• develop the skills needed to acquire further knowledge in psychopharmacology in the future, so to continue their studies with a greater degree of autonomy.

In addition, the course will enable students to develop general competencies including:

• Research, analysis and synthesis of data and information, using the necessary technologies
• Decision-making
• Autonomous work
• Teamwork
• Respect for diversity and multiculturalism
• Demonstration of social, professional and ethical responsibility and sensitivity to gender issues
• Criticism and self-criticism
• Promotion of free, creative and inductive thinking

3. SYLLABUS

1.     Introduction to Psychopharmacology (2h)

Definition and history of psychopharmacology

The role of neurotransmitters in regulating behavior and mood

2.     Neuropharmacology (4h)

Drug-receptor interactions

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics

3.     Antidepressants (2h)

Types of antidepressants

Mechanisms of action

Side effects and limitations

4.     Anxiolytics (2h)

Types of anxiolytics

Mechanisms of action

Side effects and limitations

5.     Antipsychotics (2h)

Types of antipsychotics

Mechanisms of action

Side effects and limitations

6.     Mood stabilizers (2h)

Types of mood stabilizers

Mechanisms of action

Side effects and limitations

7.     Drug addiction and abuse (4h)

Mechanisms of addiction

Commonly abused drugs

Treatment options

8.     Special populations (4h)

Psychopharmacology drugs in children: ADHD^[1], ODD^[2] and CD^[3] disorders

Psychopharmacology drugs in the elderly: Adverse and beneficial effects of polypharmacy

9.     Methods of Research & ECC^[4] concerns in Psychopharmacology drug development & treatment (2h)

Techniques in Behavioral Pharmacology and Neuropharmacology

ECC concerns: animal experimentation, informed consent, conflict of interest and gender equality in Psychopharmacology drug development

Off-label use and stigmatization in Psychopharmacology drug use

10. Future directions (4h)

Novel drug targets:

-      Microbiome-gut-brain axis and

-      neuroimmune interactions in mental health disorders

Personalized medicine, precision drug delivery & digital therapeutics

Machine learning and AI in drug discovery and development

Use of ICT in teaching:

• Supervisory material of lectures in an electronic format. Posting on the e-learn electronic platform
• Use of the Microsoft Teams web app for remote lectures
• Use of a web application (http://www.icp.org.nz) for of students’ practice in pharmacokinetics during the respective lecture as well as by each student for their practice at a time of their choice.

Use of ICT in communication with students:

• All announcements will be posted on the Postgraduate Program's electronic platform.
• The lecture schedule and evaluation criteria will be available on both the e-learn and MS Teams platforms.
• Each student is required to complete an electronic class evaluation form.
• Students can communicate with the instructors electronically via MS Teams for scientific or administrative issues that arise during the semester.

TEACHING METHODS

Activity                                                                    Semester workload

Lectures                                                                                   28

Literature study & analysis                                                      20

Practical training in pharmacokinetics                                       1

Preparatory study for the written exams                                  62

Course total                                                                           111

STUDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Course evaluation in English:

 I. Written exams (75% of final grade) comprised of multiple choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, true/false and short answer questions or a combination of these. 

ΙΙ. Oral Presentation (25% of the final grade): 10-minute presentation of a cutting-edge Psychopharmacology topic based on the study and analysis relevant literature.

5. ATTACHED BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Suggested bibliography:

Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology - Neuroscientific Basis and Practical Applications, 5^η Edition, Cambridge University Press, 2021.

Psychopharmacology Drugs, the Brain, and Behavior, 3^η Edition, Oxford University Press, 2018.

- Related academic journals:

Psychopharmacology: Official Journal of the European Behavioural Pharmacology Society (EBPS).

Neuropsychopharmacology: OfficialJournal of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP)

Journal of Psychopharmacology: Official Journal of the British Association of Psychopharmacology (ACNP)

Biological Psychiatry: An Official Journal of the Society of Biological Psychiatry

Neuropharmacology

Trends in Pharmacological Sciences

^[1] Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

^[2] Oppositional Defiant Disorder

^[3] Conduct Disorder

^[4] Ethics and Code of Conduct