Cellular and molecular bases of Neuropharmacology.
The concepts of satiability, specificity, reversibility and pharmacological efficacy and of dose-dependent effects.
General organisation of the nervous system; sensorial, motor and limbic systems.
Neuronal systems organisation. Information flow in neuronal systems. Neurons and astrocytes as targets of psycho-active drugs.
Synaptic transmission and plasticity; neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and receptors. Metabolic pathways, ionotropic and metabotropic receptors as targets of psycho-active drugs.
Trophic factors: opportunities for neuronal repair.
Behavioural methodologies for the assessment of drug effects.
Molecular bases of brain diseases and neuroprotective strategies (synapses and neuro-inflammation); drug abuse effects.
Electrophysiological and neurochemical methodology for the assessment of drug action; caffeine as an example.
Cholinergic system (nicotinic receptors) and Alzheimer's disease. Clinical trials.

Cooper JR, Bloom FE, Roth RH (2003), "The Biochemical Basis of Neuropharmacology", Oxford University Press.

Nestler EJ, Hyman SE, Malenka RC (2001), "Molecular Neuropharmacology. A Foundation for Clinical Neuroscience", McGraw-Hill.