Drugs, Brain, and Mind

The course will begin with a review of basic concepts in pharmacology including: routes of drug administration, drug metabolism, the dose response curve, tolerance and sensitization.  Following a brief overview of cellular foundations of neuropharmacology (cell biology, synaptic and receptor function) and CNS organization, the course will focus on three general topics.  First, we will consider the use of pharmacological and neurobiological research techniques to identify and characterize neurochemical systems in the brain, including localization of the chemicals in brain, typing of receptors and contribution to normal and abnormal behavior.  Second, we will consider various classes of drugs used to treat neuropsychiatric disorders including, among others, depression, schizophrenia and anxiety.  Third, we will consider mechanism mediating the mind-altering, addictive and neurotoxic effects of abused drugs.