Psychopharmacology: Drugs, the Brain and Behavior by Meyer, Jerrold S.; Quenzer, Linda F

Sinauer Associates. Hardcover. 0878935347 Book Description Recent advances in molecular pharmacology and brain imaging have revolution ized our understanding of how psychoactive drugs work. Now, from the author s of Principles of Neuropsychopharmacology, comes a new undergraduate textb ook integrating these developments. The first section of the book provides extensive foundation materials, including the basic principles of pharmacol ogy, neurophysiology and neuroanatomy, synaptic transmission, and methods i n psychopharmacology. The second section describes key features of major ne urotransmitter systems, including the catecholamines, serotonin, acetylchol ine, glutamate and GABA. The third and fourth sections discuss theories and mechanisms of drug addiction and psychopathology. All major substances of abuse as well as drugs used to treat mental illness are covered. Psychopharmacology: Drugs, the Brain and Behavior is unique in its breadth of coverage, ranging from historical accounts of drug use to clinical and preclinical behavioral studies to the latest research on drug effects in transgenic mouse models. Student engagement with the material is fostered by opening each chapter with a relevant vignette and by providing breakout boxes presenting novel or cutting-edge topics for special discussion. The book is extensively illustrated with full-color photographs and line art depicting important concepts and experimental data. Psychopharmacology: Drugs, the Brain and Behavior is appropriate for undergraduate psychopharmacology or drugs and behavior courses that emphasize relationships between the behavioral effects of psychoactive drugs and their mechanisms of action. . Good.