Integrated Quantitative Pharmacology Commissioned Course Course Contents The purpose of this course is to provide in-depth knowledge in experimental and theoretical pharmacology regarding the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and mechanisms of action of pharmacological substances, emphasizing the signal pathways of the neural system. The first part of the course contains pharmacological principles, quantitative methods and laboratory techniques. Within the items, structural and functional receptor families, receptor specificity, selectivity, affinity and efficacy will be discussed. Further, mechanisms of transduction, enzyme pharmacology and ion channel drug interactions will be dealt with. Receptor dynamics and quantitative pharmacology includes the construction and analysis of dose-response curves. Clinical application of methods and techniques within specific areas of neuropharmacology will also be addressed. - For MODULE A1 ONLY, see below. The second part of the course (PK/PD) will deal with quantitative methods for designing, analyzing and predicting pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic in vivo studies. The education will consist of lectures, seminars and computer simulations. Linear and non-linear kinetics, clearance-, absorption-, and transportation models and plasma protein- and tissue binding will be discussed and analyzed by more advanced pharmacokinetic methods. Further, pharmacodynamic steady state and quick concentration-response equilibrium, as well as delayed equilibrium caused by diffusion, receptor on/off binding and turnover will be handled. Reversible and non-reversible turnover systems are of great importance in this part of the course. Synergy and adaptation (tolerance) of pharmacological responses as well as dose-response-time modelling will also be dealt with. The course also contains theoretical and practical items concerning non-linear regression, methods of optimization, weighting, and analysis of residuals. Statistical methods for discrimination between alternative models and Goodness-of-Fit-criteria will be used in case studies. - For MODULE B1 ONLY, see below. Additional Information The course is partially problem based. The course contains laboratory and computer based items and individually performed computer analysis. The course will be given in English. MODULE A1: Targets in pharmacology Transduction mechanisms Synaptology in CNS and PNS Receptor families Quntitative methods in receptor pharmacology Ion channel pharmacology Enzyme pharmacology Special issues of receptor pharmacology in CNS Dopamine Serotonin GABA Special issues of receptor pharmacology in PNS Acetylcholine Adrenergic transmission Inflammatory pharmacology + Hands-on exercises and Group Exercises MODULE B1: Steady-state dynamics Link/effect compartment Indirect response I-IV: theory, initial estimates Indirect response I-IV: complexities Modelling of transduction, synergy, irreversible reponses Functional adaptation/feedback/rebound and synergy Allometric scaling of pkpd data + Hands-on exercises and Group Exercises on: - Scaling PK and PD data, - Multiple dose dynamics - Transduction - Basic PD models - Link models - Indirect response - single dose dynamics - Multiple dose dynamics - Synergy - Integration of data from several subjects - Experimental design |