| Date | Topic | Reading*/assignments |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 5 | Course Intro; | course syllabus; MQ pp 1-6 |
| Sept. 7 | Neurons and Glia | MQ Ch. 2 |
| Sept. 10 | Overview: electrical and chemical signaling | MQ Ch3 |
| Sept. 12 | Principles of pharmacology | MQ Ch 1 |
| Sept. 14 | Principles of pharmacology | MQ Ch 1 |
| Sept. 17 | Neurotransmitters: Acetylcholine | MQ Ch 6 |
| Sept. 19 | Neurotransmitters: Serotonin | MQ Ch 6 |
| Sept. 21 | Discussion: Nicotine | Maskos et al., 2005 |
| Sept. 24 | Neurotransmitters: monoamines | MQ Ch 5 |
| Sept. 26 | Quiz; Neurotransmitters: monoamines | MQ Ch 5; Ch 11 |
| Sept. 28 | Discussion: cocaine mech. of action | TBA |
| Oct. 1 | Neurotransmitters: amino acids | MQ Ch. 7 |
| Oct. 3 | Neurotransmitters: peptides and purines | MQ Ch. 10 |
| Oct. 5 | Discussion: MDMA (Ecstasy) | TBA |
| Oct. 8 | Reward systems and addiction | MQ Ch 8; Lit review topic due |
| Oct. 10 | Mechanisms of addiction; alcohol abuse | Hyman et al., 2006 |
| Oct. 12 | Discussion: mechanisms of addiction | TBA |
| Oct. 15 | Review session | |
| Oct. 17 | Midterm Exam | |
| Oct. 19 | Addiction: Alcohol abuse | MQ Ch 9 |
| Oct. 22 | Fall Break | |
| Oct. 24 | Pharmacology of Alcohol | MQ Ch 9 |
| Oct 26 | Discussion: Alcohol addiction | TBA |
| Oct. 29 | Parkinson’s Disease | Dauer and Przedborski, 2003 |
| Oct. 31 | Huntington’s Disease | Cattaneo et al., 2002; Marx 2005 |
| Nov. 2 | Discussion: Parkinson’s | TBA |
| Nov. 5 | No Class—Soc. For NS meeting | |
| Nov. 7 | Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders | MQ Ch 8 |
| Nov. 9 | Discussion: Huntington’s Disease | TBA; Lit review outlines due |
| Nov. 12 | Depression | MQ Ch 16 |
| Nov. 14 | Quiz; Anxiety disorders | MQ Ch 17 |
| Nov. 16 | Discussion: Depression | TBA |
| Nov. 19 | Hallucinogens | MQ Ch 14 |
| Nov. 21 | Discuss literature review projects | |
| Nov. 23 | Thanksgiving break | |
| Nov. 26 | Cannabinoids | MQ Ch 13 |
| Nov. 28 | Nitric oxide | TBA |
| Nov. 30 | Discussion: THC mechanism of action | TBA |
| Dec. 3 | Alzheimer’s Disease | TBA; Literature reviews due |
| Dec. 5 | Public Policy issues | |
| Dec. 7 | Discussion: Alzheimer’s Disease | TBA |
| Dec. 10 | Discussion: Nootropic agents | TBA |
| Dec. 12 | Wrap-up; course evaluations | |
| Dec. 17 | Final exam: 9 a.m. | |