In Vivo Neuropharmacology

Course objectives

To provide state of the art knowledge of in vivo biological and medical research achievements within specific CNS topics such as neurotransmitter systems, functional neuroanatomy, mechanism of CNS drugs, animal models of CNS diseases and causes of CNS diseases.

General contents and topics

A major barrier within medical science is the understanding of the function of the human brain as well as the development of adequate treatment of CNS diseases.

Even though anatomical methods date back to the last century, new histological methods using advanced staining techniques (i.e. monoclonal antibodies) or unbiased morphometric methods have recently revolutionised this field. The development of functional imaging techniques, such as PET, SPECT and NMR (MR) as well as local blood flow imaging techniques have elucidated dynamic functions of the brain.

The understanding of the most important neurotransmitter systems and the functional integration between different brain structures will be a key aspect in this PhD course. Besides giving a basic course regarding the possible causes of CNS diseases, this course will provide the students with insight into the development of recent animal models of the diseases as well as the mechanism of action of drugs used in current CNS therapies.

• Morphometric methods
• PET, SPECT and NMR (MR) imaging techniques
• Local blood flow imaging techniques
• Neurotransmitter systems
• Integration of brain structure systems
• Causes of CNS diseases
• Mechanism of CNS drugs
• Behavioural models of CNS diseases

General information

The 5-day course will comprise 18 to 20 lectures. Each lecture will be followed by extensive discussions.

Duration

10 to 14 September 2001.

Course weight

0.083 STÅ (STÅ = student full-time equivalent) = 4.98 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).

Course director

Dr. Mogens Nielsen, Guest Scientist at The Graduate School of Drug Research at The Royal Danish School of Pharmacy. Contact person at The Royal Danish School of Pharmacy is Professor Povl Krogsgaard-Larsen, Department of Medicinal Chemistry.

Course fee

Total: DKK 4,700 (including lunch),
of which operating costs amount to: DKK 600.
An additional amount for study materials: DKK 500.

Closing date for application

1 August 2001.

Course capacity

25 participants.

N.B.

Study materials comprise a book or a collection of up-to-date review articles.

The course language is English.