This paper will delve into neuropharmacology, uncovering how neurotransmitters and neuropeptides control brain function. It will explore the strategic use of drugs as tools to unravel the intricacies of the nervous system and to treat neuropathology. It will examine the ethical implications and impact of knowledge constraints on drug-based treatments for neurological diseases. Throughout, students will gain insights into crucial elements of neuropharmacological research, including the experimental design and execution, sources of variability, and use of appropriate statistical analyses.
About this paper
| Paper title | Pharmacology: Drugs and the Brain |
|---|---|
| Subject | Pharmacology |
| EFTS | 0.1500 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,243.65 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- PHAL 241 or PHAL 211
- Restriction
- PHAL 303
- Recommended Preparation
- NEUR 201, STAT 110 or 115
- Schedule C
- Science
- Contact
- pharmacology@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
Convenor: Professor Paul Smith
2025 teaching staff to be confirmed.- Paper Structure
PHAL 312 has lectures, tutorials and laboratories.
- Textbooks
Textbooks are not required for this paper
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Scholarship, Critical Thinking, Communication, Life-Long Learning, Interdisciplinary Perspective, Global Perspective, Ethics, Research, Self-Motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.- Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will:
- Describe how neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and receptors are involved in normal brain function and neuropathology
- Evaluate the evidence of drug treatments for neuropathology, assessing their impact on restoring brain function and/or alleviating symptoms
- Discuss the ethical implications of neuropharmacological interventions
- Understand and apply good experimental design and execution, sources of variability, and appropriate statistical analyses
- Describe how drugs are used as pharmacological tools to provide insight into normal brain function and neuropathology
- Assess the current limits in our understanding of neuropathology and examine how they impact the success of drug-based treatments
- Assessment details
PHAL 311 is assessed through a final exam (60%) and internal assessments (40%) which may include research reports, group presentation and test.