Synaptic Pharmacology and Function

This course explores how the nervous system communicates, with a special focus on pharmacological principles, synapses, and the neural control of movement. Learners will explore the fundamental principles of synaptic transmission, including how neurons communicate with each other and with muscles, and how drugs and other chemicals, such as poisons, can modify these processes. The course emphasizes the neuromuscular junction as a model system for understanding how synapses translate electrical signals into movement. Topics include neurotransmitters and receptors, and the mechanisms by which drugs alter signaling in the neuronal interface with muscles. Real-world examples from medicine, pharmacology, and everyday substances are used to illustrate how changes at the synapse influence behavior and motor function. To be successful in this course, learners should have a background in biology. This course provides a strong foundation for those interested in neuroscience, pharmacology, medicine, or related health and biological sciences.