Information Package / Course Catalogue
Neuropharmacology
Course Code: BYF650
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: Third Cycle (Doctorate Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 5
Objectives of the Course

The course examines the neuromediators, their receptors, postreceptor signalling mechanisms, their genetic regulation and the drugs on these pathways. The course aims to investigate the neurochemical, neuroanatomical and physiological basis of psychological disorders and drug addiction and the effects of psychoactive drugs on the brain and behavior.

Course Content

The course examines the neuromediators, their receptors, postreceptor signalling mechanisms, their genetic regulation and the drugs on these pathways. The course basically concerns the effects of psychoactive drugs on the brain and behavior. The course will cover the mechanisms of action, and the behavioral and side effects of psychoactive drugs that are used in the treatment of psychological disorders (e.g., anti-depressants, anti-psychotics), and that affect mood and behavior (e.g., cocaine, heroine, LSD, and marijuana). The course will also focus on the neurochemical, neuroanatomical and physiological basis of psychological disorders and drug addiction. Furthermore, the course will include etiology of drug abuse, and heuristics and developmental psychopathology models of drug abuse.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.To gain knowledge on structure and function of the neuron, signal transduction in nervous system and neurotransmitters
2.To comprehend basic principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
3.To learn about the pharmacology of drug abuse, epidemiology and neurobiology of addiction
4.To learn about the action mechanisms of drugs of abuse and the treatment approaches
5.To learn about the reasons and neurobiology of psychological disorders and the action mechanisms and effects of psychotherapeutic drugs
Recommended or Required Reading
1.A Primer of Drug Action, Robert M. Julien, Claire D. Advokat, Joseph E. Comaty, Worth Publishers, 2010
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
The Neuron, Synaptic Transmission, and Neurotransmitters
Week 2 - Theoretical
Pharmacokinetics: How Drugs Are Handled by the Body
Week 3 - Theoretical
Pharmacodynamics: How Drugs Act
Week 4 - Theoretical
Pharmacology of drug abuse: Epidemiology and Neurobiology of Addiction
Week 5 - Theoretical
Abuse of Caffeine and Nicotine, Ethyl Alcohol and the Inhalants of Abuse
Week 6 - Theoretical
Cocaine, the Amphetamines, and Other Psychostimulants
Week 7 - Theoretical
Psychedelic Drugs
Week 8 - Intermediate Exam
Midterm exam
Week 9 - Theoretical
Cannabis and its abuse
Week 10 - Theoretical
Opioid Analgesics
Week 11 - Theoretical
Psychotherapeutic Drugs: Antipsychotic Drugs
Week 12 - Theoretical
Psychotherapeutic Drugs: Antidepressant Drugs
Week 13 - Theoretical
Psychotherapeutic Drugs: Sedative-Hypnotic and Anxiolytic Medications
Week 14 - Theoretical
Psychotherapeutic Drugs: Drugs Used to Treat Bipolar Disorder
Week 15 - Final Exam
Final exam
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Presentation1%2.5
Quiz1%2.5
Midterm Examination1%25
Final Examination1%70
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory132252
Assignment310236
Presentation 1101
Reading4104
Quiz1101
Midterm Examination112214
Final Examination116218
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)126
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
PÇ-16
PÇ-17
PÇ-18
PÇ-19
PÇ-20
OÇ-1
5
5
5
5
5
3
2
5
3
2
2
2
5
2
5
3
3
3
5
5
OÇ-2
5
4
4
4
4
3
2
4
3
2
2
2
5
2
4
3
3
3
4
4
OÇ-3
5
4
4
4
4
3
2
4
3
2
2
2
5
2
4
3
3
3
4
4
OÇ-4
5
4
4
4
4
3
2
4
3
2
2
2
5
2
4
3
3
3
4
4
OÇ-5
5
4
4
4
4
3
2
4
3
2
2
2
5
2
4
3
3
3
4
4
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026