Algemeen

• Studiepunten: 3.00
• Onderwijstaal: Engels
• Werkvorm: hoorcollege
• Begeleidingsuren: 26.0 uren 
• Periode: Wordt gedoceerd in het eerste semester
• Verantwoordelijke POC: POC postgraduaten TP

Docenten/didactisch team

Vegh Zsuzsanna

Doelstellingen

General goals
The student will be able to acquire and process information relevant for his/her profession in a critical and independent manner. 

Specific goals: 
The course consists of 2 parts: (1) An introduction to basic genetics, and (2) Specific topics in neuropharmacology.

In the first part of the course, terms used in genetics will be introduced and explained to provide a knowledge base for understanding the most important cellular processes involving genes. Subsequently, the student will be introduced to genetic aspects of mental disorders. 
At the end of the course, the student will have a basic overview of genetics-related terminology and basic processes, which will provide him/her with a deeper insight in mental disorders he/she may encounter when interacting with patients.
The second part of the course will be dedicated to a selection of drugs or drug classes acting on the central nervous system. The course will build on previous courses such as behavioral neuroscience and the knowledge about neurotransmitter systems. CNS active drugs are among the most commonly administered drugs, either on doctor’s prescription (e.g. anxiolytics, antidepressant, etc) or by self-medication (alcohol, tea, coffee, nicotine, opiates, etc). The focus will be on a selection of psychotropic drugs, elaborating the clinical aspects, mechanism of action and application, pharmacological effects, unwanted side effects, etc. At the end of the  course, the student will be familiar with a selection of CNS active drugs and  their application in mental disorders.

Inhoud

 
In a general introduction to genetics, the lecture will elaborate on the principle of heredity of traits. In this context, cellular processes such as mitosis and meiosis, and the structure of chromosomes will be introduced. The principles of Mendelian genetics using Huntington disease and phenylketonuria as examples will be discussed. 

Consequences of chromosomal variations and mutations will be discussed using the example of trisomy 21 and Fragile X syndrome. 

We will discuss in more detail structure and function of DNA. The students will learn basic principles of genetic replication, and how a gene is ultimately translated into protein. Furthermore, the effects of genetic mutations and gene repair using development of cancer will be introduced.

Finally, we will discuss the effect of genetics on behavior and concepts such as nature versus nurture –e.g. twin studies, adoption study of Schizophrenia. The students will be familiarized with concepts such as quantitative genetics, multifactorial trait analysis and clinical linkage studies.

In the introduction to neuropharmacology, a general overview of pharmacology will introduce some basic terminology (e.g. receptor, channels, agonist, antagonist, second messenger cascade) and mechanisms. Thereafter, specific psychotropic drug classes, i.e. anxiolytics,  antipsychotics, antidepressants, analgesics, and psychotomimetics will be discussed. Finally, drug addiction, dependence and abuse will be covered. 

Studiemateriaal

Course material
Handouts and slides
Textbook

Obligatory material:
Course material and own notes

Evaluatievorm

Modaliteit van de evaluatie:
    schriftelijk
Tijdstip: examen tijdens de examenperiode
Soort evaluatie:
    Gesloten boek

Toelichting

The exam will consist of 20 multiple choice questions and one open question. 
During the course example questions will be presented and discussed.