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After the course, students will be able to
- Differentiate the neurobiological targets of psychotropic medications.
- Apply fundamental principles of neuropharmacology to the assessment of normal brain functioning and disease states.
- Understand and explain the relation of psychotropic drug mechanisms of action with pathophysiological states of disease.
- Identify and evaluate novel research and treatment approaches that are expected to affect clinical practice.
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Psychologists working in a clinical setting will undoubtedly encounter patients using psychotropic drugs. Psychologist in charge of scientific research might include central acting drugs as a manipulation or neurochemistry outcomes as variables in their studies. Therefore the course has two goals: First to give insight into the physiological importance of the targets of psychotropic drugs for normal brain functioning and vice versa to give insight into the working mechanisms of drugs that can be used to alleviate psychopathological disturbances.
The course is structured as follows: first, the basic principles of pharmacology in general and psychopharmacology in particular will be explored. Next, the course is split in two intermingled parts: attention will be paid to the treatment with psychotropic drugs of the most occurring psychopathological disturbances and in coupled lectures the impact of the endogenous neurotransmitter systems involved on normal and pathological behavior will be discussed.
Points of interest will be: principles of neuropharmacology, antipsychotic drugs and the dopamine system, drugs of abuse and the cannabinoid system, anxiolytics, hormones and stress, antidepressants and the serotonin system. In addition pain and aging will be topics.
Some lectures will be given by guest lecturers, all experts in their field, ensuring that, besides a general overview, the newest insights into this rapidly changing field will be discussed.
Exam information
Open book exam
Additional information
As room space is limited, a registration cap may apply for this course. Make sure to register at your earliest convenience. |
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