<< Back to Product List
Basic Psychopharmacology v2.0
Source PCCAL, University of Galway
ISBN: 0 9532751 5 9
Versions Available Internet
Programmers Dr.Jim O'Donnel (Assisted by A.Halloram)
Subject Specialists Dr. Jim O'Donnell
Summary

Screen shot from the package		 This package introduces the student to psychopharmacology. The student first learns about the neuroscientific foundation of psychopharmacology, then continues by considering some of the clinical applications of psychopharmacology, for example, the use of anxiolytics. In the final subject of the package, the student looks at research methods used in psychopharmacology, including laboratory techniques, use of animal models and some of the problems of clinical trials.
Contents

Neuroscientific Foundation
  • Blood-Brain Barrier
  • Drug Entry Into Brain
  • Electrophysiological Mechanisms
  • Biochemical Mechanisms
Clinical Applications
  • Hypnotics
  • Anxiolytics
  • Antidepresssants
  • Antipsychotics
Research Methodologies
  • Laboratory Experiments
  • Animal Models
  • Clinical Studies
Summary of Sections
Neuroscientific Foundation
Blood-Brain Barrier: describes how drugs get into the brain in order to exert their actions on nerve functions.
Drug Entry Into Brain: deals with the ways that drug molecules can cross the blood-brain barrier.
Electrophysiological Mechanisms: deals with the electrophysiological aspects of psychotropic drugs.
Biochemical Mechanisms: deals with the biochemical actions of the drugs described in the clinical sections (ie hypnotics, anxiolytics, antidepressants, antipsychotics).
Clinical Applications
Hypnotics: looks at sleep and the recommended use of drugs to treat insomnia.
Anxiolytics: describes the use of drugs for the symptomatic treatment of selected forms of anxiety.
Antidepressants: deals with drugs for treatment of severe depression of mood.
Antipsychotics: looks at drugs which alleviate some of the symptoms of psychotic disorders.
Research Methodologies
Laboratory Experiments: Development of pscyhoactive drugs involves techniques of molecular biology, cytology, and immunology in addition to biochemical and electrophysiological methodologies. In this activity, a selection of “in vitro” methods is briefly described.
Animal Models: In this activity, the aims are that the student learns about the models that have been employed in the study of psychoactive drugs and about the limitations of animal models.
Clinical Studies: describes some of the problems in clinical trials of psychopharmacological drugs, and the recommended ways of dealing with those problems.