The main objective of the teaching unit is the acquisition of skills related to general pharmacology and the general principles of chemotherapy. Starting from the concept of Drug, the student will have to acquire the cardinal concepts of Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and features of Pharmacognosy. He/She will have to understand the concept of Dose, therapeutic effect and adverse effect (predictable and unpredictable), to know the dynamics of scientific studies concerning the drug both at preclinical and clinical level and to acquire knowledge on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between drugs and between food and drugs and adverse drug reactions (ADR) of particular importance.
The student will have to know the main problems concerning the relationship between nutrition and aging and specific criticisms concerning patients suffering from neurogenerative diseases (Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases); will also have to acquire the basic knowledge on the problems concerning rare diseases and orphan drugs.
The student must demonstrate knowledge of the concept of functional food, supplement and biofortified food, know the main nutraceuticals present in foods and their known biological effects.