The PSYCONET International Learning Program offers a unique opportunity for university students
(Bachelor's or Master's level in Pharmacy, Medicine, Biology, and Psychology), PhD candidates, and
selected professionals to deepen their studies in the psychopharmacology of neuropsychiatric
diseases and acquire skills in this field, with a focus on gender differences on the role of
neurodevelopment.
The course, taught in English, will be delivered online from March 19ᵗʰ to October 1ˢᵗ, 2025 (for a total
of 33 hours of meetings). It aims to provide students of the EDUC alliance with activities that foster
the exchange of expertise within the alliance in the fields of basic and clinical sciences, including
neuroscience, psychiatry, neurology, neurosurgery, neurotoxicology, as well as in the field of
pharmaceutical and medical devices techniques.
PSYCONET
Psychopharmacology of Neuropsychiatric Diseases:
focus on gender differences and role of
neurodevelopment
ECTS: 3
Virtual format:
Online sessions: from 19ᵗʰ March to 1ˢᵗ October 2025
Recorded videos: available till the end of the course
Objectives:
The program's objectives include:
Raising awareness of the need for research on currently untreatable neurological diseases,
covering topics such as psychopharmacology, neurology, neurochemistry, and neurodegeneration;
Analyzing the social aspects of neurological and psychiatric diseases and promoting prevention
and a healthy lifestyle;
Exploring gender differences in brain diseases and the effects of medications;
Examining age-related vulnerability in psychiatric disorders;
Promoting collaboration among EDUC partner institutions and supporting the continuous
professional development of neuroscience specialists.
Additionally, the program aims to:
Develop a curriculum for students in Pharmacy, Medicine, Biology, PhD candidates, and
professionals in neuroscience and neurology;
Offer up-to-date courses on psychopharmacology, neuroanatomy, neuropsychopharmacology, and
neuroscience, including studies on neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s,
and dementia, as well as experimental models for their understanding;
Deepen the study of psychoactive substances and their impact on the brain, with a focus on
managing non-motor symptoms in neurodegenerative diseases.
Open to undergraduate students (I or II level of University Degree from
Faculties of Pharmacy, Medicine, Biology, Psychology), PhD students and
selected professionals (e.g., teacher, researchers, research fellows).
Application deadline: 14ᵗʰ March 2025
19th March 2025 (Wednesday) - Time: 3-4 p.m.
Topic: Gender Pharmacology and Neurology
Duration: 1 hour
Format: Synchronous lesson
Lecturer: Micaela Morelli
25th March 2025 (Tuesday) - Time: 3-5 p.m.
Topic: Experimental Pharmacology
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Synchronous lesson
Lecturer: Nicola Simola
27th March 2025 (Thursday) - Time: 3-5 p.m.
Topic: Neuropeptides as Protective Agents in the CNS
and Periphery
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Synchronous lesson
Lecturers: Dora Reglodi, Inez Bosnyak, Andrea Tamas,
Jason Sparks
1st April 2025 (Tuesday) - Time: 4-5 p.m.
Topic: Pharmacology of Psychoactive Drugs
Duration: 1 hour
Format: Synchronous lesson
Lecturer: Maria Antonietta De Luca
4th April 2025 (Friday) - Time: 4-5 p.m.
Topic: Neuropharmacology of Drug Dependence
Duration: 1 hour
Format: Synchronous lesson
Lecturer: Maria Antonietta De Luca
8th April 2025 (Tuesday)
Topic: Psychiatric Effects of Cannabinoids: Focus on
Gender Differences
Duration: 1 hour
Format: Short video available until the end of the course
Lecturer: Nicholas Pintori
15th April 2025 (Tuesday)
Topic: Psychiatric Effects of Cannabinoids: Focus on Age
Vulnerability
Duration: 1 hour
Format: Short video available until the end of the course
Lecturer: Francesca Caria
9th May 2025 (Friday) - Time: 10-12 a.m.
Topic: Translational Animal Models of Parkinson’s
Disease
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Synchronous lesson
Lecturer: Jana Rudá-Kučerová
16th May 2025 (Friday) - Time: 10-12 a.m.
Topic: Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging in the Animal Models of
Parkinson’s Disease
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Synchronous lesson
Lecturer: Amit Khairnar
23rd May 2025 (Friday) - Time: 10-12 a.m.
Topic: Imaging of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow in Animal
Models of Psychopathology and Neuropharmacological
Interventions
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Synchronous lesson
Lecturer: Eva Dražanová
28th May 2025 (Tuesday) - Time: 3-5 p.m.
Topic: Neurotoxicology of Psychostimulant Drugs
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Synchronous lesson
Lecturer: Giulia Costa
30th May 2025 (Friday) - Time: 10-12 a.m.
Topic: Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in the
Animal Models of Depression
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Synchronous lesson
Lecturer: Iveta Haraštová-Pavlova
16th June 2025 (Monday) - Time: 3-5 p.m.
Topic: Neuropharmacology of Effort-Based Decision-
Making
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Synchronous lesson
Lecturer: Mercè Correa Sanz
20th June 2025 (Monday) - Time: 3-5 p.m.
Topic: Retinal and Corneal Degeneration and Protective
Mechanisms in Rodents
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Synchronous lesson
Lecturers: Tamas Atlasz, Dorottya Molitor, Balazs Meresz,
Lina Li
26th June 2025 (Thursday) - Time: 3-5 p.m.
Topic: Neuropsychological Correlates of Social Behavior
and Neuropsychology in the Diagnostic Path
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Synchronous lesson
Lecturers: Donatella Petretto, Cristina Cabras
7th July 2025 (Monday) - Time: 1-4 p.m.
Topic: Exploration of the Brain by fMRI
Duration: 3 hours
Format: Synchronous lesson
Lecturer: Giovanni de Marco
11th September 2025 (Thursday) - Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Topic: Neuropharmacology of Conditioned Emotional
Memories Induced by Drugs of Abuse
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Synchronous lesson
Lecturer: Laura Font Hurtado
1st October 2025
Topic: Gut-Brain Axis: Role of Microbiota
Duration: 3 hours (total video length)
Format: Short videos on the microbiota-brain axis
Lecturers: Thomas Gautier, Latifa Bousarghin, Maroussia
Parailloux, Sophie Tomasi, Marie Laurence Abasq
Main program
Psychopharmacology of Neuropsychiatric Diseases: focus on
gender differences and role of neurodevelopment
Nicola Simola
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Associate Professor
Giulia Costa
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Researcher
Nicholas Pintori
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Post-doc
Francesca Caria
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Post-doc
Donatella Rita Petretto
Department of Pedagogy, Psychology and Philosophy, Associate Professor
Cristina Cabras
Department of Pedagogy, Psychology and Philosophy, Associate Professor
Associated Local Team
Psychopharmacology of Neuropsychiatric Diseases: focus on
gender differences and role of neurodevelopment
Jana Rudá Kučerová
Masaryk University, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Associate Professor
Amit Khairnar
Masaryk University, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Assistant Professor
Eva Dražanová
Masaryk University / Institute of Scientific Instruments of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Department of
Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine / Magnetic Resonance Group, Assistant Professor
Iveta Haraštová-Pavlova
Institute of Scientific Instruments of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Magnetic Resonance Group, Assistant
Professor
Dóra Reglődi
University of Pecs, Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Full Professor
Tamas Atlasz
University of Pecs, Faculty of Sciences, Associate Professor
Andrea Tamas
University of Pecs, Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Associate Professor
Inez Bosnyak
University of Pecs, Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Assistant Professor
Jason Sparks
University of Pecs, Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Assistant Professor
Lina Li
University of Pecs, Department of Anatomy, Medical School, PhD student
Dorottya Molitor
University of Pecs, Department of Anatomy, Medical School, PhD student
Balazs Meresz
University of Pecs, Department of Anatomy, Medical School, PhD student
Giovanni De Marco
University of Paris Nanterre, UFR des Sciences et Techniques des Activités Physiques et Sportives (STAPS), Faculty
of Sciences and Techniques of Physical and Sports Activities, Full Professor
Marie Laurence Abasq
University of Rennes, Faculty of Pharmacy
Thomas Gautier
University of Rennes, Faculty of Pharmacy
Maroussia Parailloux
University of Rennes, Faculty of Pharmacy
Sophie Tomasi
University of Rennes, Faculty of Pharmacy
Latifa Bousarghin
University of Rennes, Faculty of Pharmacy
Mercè Correa Sanz
Universitat Jaume I, Department of Psychobiology, Full Professor
Laura Font Hurtado
Universitat Jaume I, Department of Psychobiology, Associate Professor
Alliance Partners Involved
Maria Antonietta De Luca
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Associate Professor
Main Organiser