CNS DRUG DESIGNS, ACTIONS, AND APPLICATIONS II
Applies knowledge regarding the molecular and anatomical factors that influence the actions of central nervous system active drugs to understand the medical applications of drugs acting on the GABAergic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and opioid systems. Develops written communication skills regarding the integration of chemical, molecular, cellular, and systems information to explain the discovery, development, and applications of these compounds. Not open to students with credit for PHARMACY 771 prior to fall 2026.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: PHM SCI 770 or PHARMACY 770 prior to Fall 2026 Course Designation: Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Identify GABAergic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and opioid drug classes and drug origins based in part on structural aspects of the molecule. Audience: Graduate 2. Compare and contrast the actions of GABAergic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and opioid pharmaceuticals on chemical and electrical signaling within the Central Nervous System. Audience: Graduate 3. Recognize the psychiatric conditions and target symptoms of these conditions that are commonly treated with GABAergic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and opioid pharmaceuticals. Audience: Graduate 4. Describe common / serious adverse effects of GABAergic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and opioid pharmaceuticals and methods for preventing or minimizing their occurrence. Audience: Graduate 5. Match GABAergic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and opioid pharmaceutical agents to the psychiatric conditions they are commonly used to treat. Audience: Graduate 6. Assess challenges to development and use of psychoactive pharmaceuticals that are either shared across major neurotransmitter systems or unique to specific classes of drugs. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Identify GABAergic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and opioid drug classes and drug origins based in part on structural aspects of the molecule. Audience: Graduate 2. Compare and contrast the actions of GABAergic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and opioid pharmaceuticals on chemical and electrical signaling within the Central Nervous System. Audience: Graduate 3. Recognize the psychiatric conditions and target symptoms of these conditions that are commonly treated with GABAergic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and opioid pharmaceuticals. Audience: Graduate 4. Describe common / serious adverse effects of GABAergic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and opioid pharmaceuticals and methods for preventing or minimizing their occurrence. Audience: Graduate 5. Match GABAergic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and opioid pharmaceutical agents to the psychiatric conditions they are commonly used to treat. Audience: Graduate 6. Assess challenges to development and use of psychoactive pharmaceuticals that are either shared across major neurotransmitter systems or unique to specific classes of drugs. Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027