Module Information

This module focusses on drugs and their modes of action in humans, with emphasis on drug/ receptor interactions in the autonomic and central nervous system and examine drug metabolism and clearance by the liver and other tissues. The module considers clinical conditions including heart failure, psychosis, asthma, depression and many more. The drugs examined in the module will include but not be limited to:
• Drugs for treatment of treat heart failure and angina by control blood pressure, heart output, and fluid retention e.g. ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, loop diuretics, spironolactone, and organic nitrates.
• Drugs for treatment of asthma e.g. bronchodilatory β2 antagonists (SABA, LABA) and methylxanthines; drugs to control inflammation e.g. corticosteroids and cystenyl leukotriene receptor antagonists; and muscarinic receptor antagonists.
• Analgesics including opioids, opiates and NSAIDs.
• Antimicrobials including antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal drugs.
• Drugs for treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease e.g. acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors, NMDA receptor antagonists and synthetic monoclonal antibodies.
• Drugs for treatment of Parkinson’s Disease e.g. levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, and muscarinic acetyl choline receptor antagonists.
• Drugs for treatment of schizophrenia and psychosis e.g. dopamine receptor antagonists.
• Drugs for treatment of depression e.g. SSRIs, tri and tetracyclic antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, NMDA receptor antagonists. We will also examine drugs used to treat bipolarism e.g. lithium, antipsychotics, and antiepileptic drugs.
• We will also examine the pharmacology of epilepsy and migraine treatment.

An understanding of interactions between drugs and their targets is central to both the use and development of pharmaceuticals. In addition, the actions and side effects of these drugs reveal much about the molecular mechanisms underpinning the functioning of the human body. In this module we will examine the biochemistry, pharmacology and clinical use of drugs.
Following a brief introduction to some key pharmacological principles we will focus on drugs in the context of specific systems in the human body. Diseases of the systems selected will be outlined with a particular focus on the biochemistry and molecular biology of these conditions. Other aspects of the healthy functioning of these systems may also be discussed. Focusing on the molecular biology of health and disease allows us to discuss the latest research in these areas, and the range of illnesses chosen will highlight significant new developments in our understanding of both the disease and its treatment
For each system/disease the pharmacological options will be discussed with an examination of the mechanisms by which the drugs work, the evidence for their efficacy, and the problems associated with their use (and abuse as appropriate). Throughout there will be a significant critical focus on the primary literature so that students encounter real data and understand the limitations and problems of studying drugs intended for humans.
As well as encountering a wealth of experimental data in the lectures, you will also have the opportunity of analyzing relevant data yourselves and developing skills in presenting and discussing the results to a professional level.