Pharmacology: Professor Diana Rangaves, Santa Rosa Junior College PHARM 255 and PHARMM 256.1 Pharmacology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study of how drugs affect the body and brain. Studying drugs and their effects, side effects, and how they work, we are able to learn how to treat, manage and prevent disease and illness. In the study of these chemicals we look at the biological systems affected. This micro neural network of dendrites, neurons, receptors, chemical signaling all involved in the transmission of cellular communication. The field of pharmacology has substantially changed the way we view medications, disease and healing. Viewed as a Dance Party it has become possible to design chemicals that act on specific cellular signaling or metabolic pathways which control cell function and dysfunction. Knowing how drugs work is all the more important when it comes to serious conditions, life-threatening diseases and suffering. In these cases, knowing the specific actions of each drug before they are administered to patients leads to the highest possible outcome and patient medication safety. The primary neurotransmitters, Dopamine, Acetylcholine, GABA and Serotonin govern a broad range of clinical pharmacology, neuropharmacology, psychopharmacology, pharmacogenetics, pharmacogenomics, toxicology, posology, and behavioral and environmental pharmacology. These disciplines continue to grow and evolve. The field encompasses the best pathway to treat illness, disease and prevention; with an emphasis on pharmacokinetics and dynamics, mechanisms of action, clinical use, adverse reactions, drug interactions, contraindications, patient education and compliance. The courses are organized by modules. Each module has reading, videos, discussion posts and interactive case work to make it real. As facilitator, I curate the discussion, pulling out lines of inquiry and insights as they emerge. These interactions that occur between a living organism and chemicals are at the foundation of our human care and outcomes. Continuing education drangaves@santarosa.edu http://online.santarosa.edu/homepage/drangaves

1. Online PHARMACOLOGY
Pharm 255 and 256.1
Diana Rangaves, PharmD, RPh
drangaves@santarosa.edu

4. Drawing by
Santiago
Ramón y
Cajal (1899)
of neurons
in the
pigeon
cerebellum

5. PHOTOGRAPH
OF ONE
STAINED
NEURON
IN A CHICKEN
EMBRYO

6. Dance Parties,
Cell Signaling
and YOU!!

9. A Party Happens!

10. Primary
Neurotransmitters
Color TEM of a neuro-muscular synaptic
junction
Dopamine
Acetylcholine
GABA
5-HT

11. Dopamine ~ Gas Acetylcholine ~ Accelerator
GABA ~ Brakes 5-HT ~ Battery

12. Dis-ease

14. Online PHARMACOLOGY
Pharm 255 and 256.1
Diana Rangaves, PharmD, RPh
drangaves@santarosa.edu