UnderGraduate Courses
PHARMACOLOGY A (4th semester, 60 hours)
Introduction.
Basic principles.
Drug Absorption, Distribution and Elimination.
Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacokinetics, Metabolism-Pharmacogenetics.
Introduction to the Pharmacology of the Autonomic Nervous System.
Cholinergic Neurotransmission- Cholinergic Agonists.
Cholinergic Antagonists.
Anticholinesterase agents.
Agents acting at the Neuromuscular Junction and Autonomic Ganglia.
Catecholaminergic Neurotransmission.
Sympathomimetic Drugs
Adrenergic Receptor Antagonists.
Serotonin and Histamine Receptor Agonists and Antagonists
Introduction to the Central Nervous System
Drugs and Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders: Psychosis, Depression and Mania
Anxiety, Hypnotics and Sedatives
Central Nervous System stimulants
Drugs effective in the therapy of Epilepsies, Antiparkinsonian Drugs, Anaesthetics
Analgetics and Antiinflammatory agents
Opioid analgesics
PHARMACOLOGY B (5th semester, 45 hours)
Cardiovascular Pharmacology:
Heart function: ion channels, treatment of heart failure, ischemia, and arhythmias
Lipid and lipoprotein uptake, biosynthesis and metabolism, theories on atherosclerosis, lipid
lowering drugs. Pathophysiology and treatment of hypertension, Renal physiology and diuretics;
Blood, coagulation, clotting factors, anticoagulants, platelet aggregation, antiaggregatory agents,
clot dissolution, plasmin, streptokinase, tPA, Neoangiogenesis, inhibitors and inducers, targets
for gene therapy
Endocrine-Pharmacology:
Hypothalamic and Pituitary hormones: therapeutic use of Growth hormone (GH),
Physiology of prolactin, prolactin inhibitors, Hypothalamus-Pituitary Adrenal axis: physiology
and pathophysiology, Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and
their antagonists, Glucocorticoids, Mineralocorticoids and their antagonists, Drugs affecting
corticosteroid synthesis, Hypothalamus-Pituitary Gonadal axis: physiology and pathophysiology,
therapeutic uses of Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and its analogs, Estrogens and
antiestrogens, Progestins and antiprogestins, Androgens and Antiandrogens, 5a-Reductase
inhibitors, Birth control, Hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptive agents and devices; Hormone
replacement therapy (HRT), Treatment of pre-menstrual and of post-menopausal syndromes
Disorders of the thyroid gland and therapy; Insulin structure, mechanism of action; glucagon and
its effects; Classification of Diabetes Mellitus and its treatment; Insulin preparations,
Sulfonylurias, Biguanides, Thiazolidinediones
Pharmacology of Neoplasia, Chemotherapy:
Biology of oncogenesis, oncogenes, onco-repressor genes, DNA repairing mechanisms
Alcylating agents, Anti-metabolites, Antibiotics, DNA intercalators, Plant chemotherapeutics
Anti-hormones, Hormone-dependent tumors Cancer gene therapy and immunotherapy, cancer
vaccines Biological Devices: liposomes, surface antigens and selectivity of cancer therapy
Antimicrobial Pharmacology:
Theory of antimicrobial chemotherapy, biology of drug resistance, classification of
antibiotics, B-lactames, Penicillins, Cephalosporins, Kinolones, Sulfonamides, Macrolides,
aminoglucosides, Fungal diseases and their treatment; Protozoal diseases and treatment; Malaria
and antimalarial drugs. Biology of HIV infection: RT inhibitors, protease inhibitors, New
pharmacological approaches of AIDS. Antivirals: Viral classification and biology, antiviral agents,
perspectives
Cell Communication (3th semester, 15 hours)
1. Basic Principles of signal transduction
a.Neurotransmitters- first messengers; b.Receptors;
2. Signalling via G-proteins - coupled receptors
a.G-proteins; b.Ca++ -as an intracellular messenger; c.Calmodulin
3. Signalling via membrane receptors coupled to enzymes
a.Guanilate cyclase; b.Tyrosino-protein kinase
4. Receptor compensatory mechanisms
a.Receptor desensitization; b.Receptor downregulation
Drug Abuse and Dependence (8th semester/ 15 hours)
Mechanism of action of drugs of abuse,
Molecular and behavioral models,
Methodology for the study of drugs with possible abusive potential ,
Specific Categories of drugs of abuse with emphasis on their pharmacodynamic,
pharmacokinetic properties-opioids, stimulants and depressants of the CNS, Cannabinoids,
psychedelic agents
Preventive and therapeutic management
The drug user as a pathologic entity The role of the physician and the state in the
management of the substance abuse problem
Graduate Courses
Neurotransmission (Duration: 1 semester, 30 hours)
Synaptic transmission-introduction; Presynaptic neuron- Mechanisms of synthesis, storage,
and release of neurotransmitters; Presynaptic receptors; neurotransporters; Postsynaptic receptors;
Second and Third Messenger Systems; Rhodopsin Receptors; Ionotropic and Metabotropic
Receptors; Peptide Receptors; Physiology and Pharmacology of nitric oxide; Receptor modulation-
desensitization mechanisms; Pharmacology of Disease States; Neurodegenerative diseases of the
Basal Ganglia; Schizophrenia; Alzheimer's Disease
Molecular Neuroendocrinology (Duration 1 semester, 30 hours)