CNS Pharmacology Targets

Module 1

One hour webinar plus one hour online activity each week

Nervous System Part 1: Understanding the CNS
Faculty: Dr. Kristy D. Bruse

CNS vs PNS

• CNS- Brain and Spinal Cord (integration and processing)

Brain organization

• Histology- cell types and what they do
• Cerebrum, midbrain (regulatory region such as Basal Nuclei and Hypothalamus), Brainstem, Cerebellum, CSF, Blood Brain Barrier, Intranasal- Olfactory system (a target for drug route of administration)
• Technologies for assessing brain function: (e.g. PET, MRI. EEG)

Module 2

Receptor Pharmacology and Drug Development
Faculty: Dr. Kristy D. Bruse

• Neurotransmitters and Receptors
• Neurotransmitter and pathways for Dopamine, Serotonin, Norepinephrine, epinephrine, GABA, Glutamate, opioid, cannabinoids, NPY, and more
• Receptors- Muscarinic (especially Nicotinic), GABAergic, Glutamate, adrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, opioid, cannabinoids, NPY, and more
  • Neuropathways- What we know about the brain communication pathways
  • Preclinical assays: Preclinical Assays for Early Discovery and IND-enabling
    • In vitro assays: Receptor screening; Hippocampal brain slices, etc.
    • In Vivo- Animal models for efficacy and safety/toxicity assessment. Include neurotransmitter measurements of selected brain regions, microinjections into the selected brain regions, Functional observational behavioral measurements, Morris water maze (learning and memory- video)
    • IND package studies: Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology
    • Supporting Clinical studies- based on preclinical signs what should the Clinicians be observing?
    • Risk:Benefit

Module 3

Nervous System Part 2: Peripheral Nervous System
Faculty: Dr. Mathew Abernathy

PNS- peripheral nerves, nerve ganglia and nerve terminals (sensory)

Peripheral Nervous System organization

• Sensory, Motor, Autonomic Nervous System
• Peripheral Pain
• Peripheral Nervous system dysfunction: Multiple Sclerosis, etc
• Technologies for assessing peripheral nerve function (EMG, etc).

Module 4

Pathology and Diseases and Research Models
Faculty: Dr. Mathew Abernathy

• Cerebral Vasculature (stroke, vasospasm, thrombi, etc)
• Dementia (e.g. Alzheimer’s, hypoxia-induced from Transient Ischemic Attacks)
• Somatomotor dysfunction (e.g Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, etc.)
• Peripheral Nervous system dysfunction: Multiple Sclerosis, etc.
• Learning and Memory
• Depression, Anxiety and Schizophrenia (understanding the receptors in the brain and mental illness)
• Trauma
• Addiction and Suicidal Behaviors
• Pain

Module 5

Seizures and Preclinical Drug Development

Faculty: Dr. Monica Metea

• Seizures

Module 6

Brain Dysfunctions, Neurodisease Research Models
Faculty: Dr. Kristy D. Bruse

• Dementia (e.g. Alzheimer's, hypoxia induced from Transient Ischemic Attacks)
• Somamotor Dysfunction (Huntington's, Parkinson's)
• Trauma

Module 7

Drug Development: CNS Preclincial Assays
Faculty: Dr. Kristy D. Bruse

• In vitro assays: Receptor screening; Hippocampal brain slices, etc.
• In Vivo- Animal models for efficacy and safety/toxicity assessment. Include neurotransmitter measurements of selected brain regions, microinjections into the selected brain regions, Functional observational behavioral measurements, Morris water maze (learning and memory- video), drug abuse liability
• IND package studies: Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology
• Supporting Clinical studies- based on preclinical signs what should the Clinicians be observing?
• Risk:Benefit

Module 8

Case Studies