NEURO 202: Psychopharmacology

Psychopharmacology is the major treatment modality in Psychiatry, which has dramatically changed psychiatric practice since the early 50s. Antipsychotic, antianxiety, and antidepressant agents can modify the behavior of psychiatric patients and for this reason they have greatly affected the management of the hospitalized mentally ill, enabling their de-institutionalization, rehabilitation in the community and even their full recovery. The “Psychopharmacology” course teaches the actions of these drugs and their effects on mood, thinking and behavior. The course focuses primarily on the chemical interactions with the brain with emphasis on synaptic aspects of the action mechanisms of drugs and how this translates into changes in physiological or psychological function and behavior. Relevant aspects of the neurobiology of mental disorders are also discussed.