Avances in the Biology of Drug Abuse. Consequences on Pregnancy and Fetal Development

EL CURSO ES PRESENCIAL Y SE IMPARTE EN MADRID

PRESENTATION

Drug abuse is at the heart of many medical and social problems and is consequently a phenomenon which is widely studied from a multidisciplinary perspective. A great deal of the current investigation in this area is directed at understanding the neurobiology of addictive disorders caused by drugs, since this is one of the major challenges in overcoming drug abuse; the objective being to find therapeutic fields to facilitate new medical treatment. Another of the serious problems associated with drug abuse is related to drug taking during pregnancy, be this voluntary or involuntary. Today we know that the physical and psychological consequences of this can be serious both for the pregnant woman and for her offspring. This course will cover the most recent advances in this area from a biological standpoint.

PUBLIC

The course is directed at university graduates in biomedical sciences, and is as a doctorate course within the San Pablo University PhD programme, “Biology and Perinatal Pathology” ( with honourable mention)

OBJECTIVES

Our objective therefore is to present current neurobiological studies on drug abuse and the consequences of drug abuse during pregnancy. With this in mind two weeklong independent modules are programmed. These are closely related and will focus respectively on the general biological effects of drug abuse and its perinatal consequences.

METHODOLOGY

The course will see top international specialists in the area covering contact class hours Further course content will be transmitted online via The San Pablo University virtual campus. This in turn will be complemented with seminars and visits to a selection of laboratories within the Community of Madrid. Students will be required to carry out a tutor assessed project related to the course content.

MODULES

1. Recent advances in the neurobiology of addiction (1.5 ECTS credits)
2. Effects of drug abuse during pregnancy (1.5 ECTS credits)

DIRECTOR

Dr. Luis F Alguacil Merino
Head of Pharmacology Department