Content: The course examines the behavioral effects and neuropharmacological mechanisms of action of the major types of psychoactive drugs. The initial lectures will introduce the principles of pharmacology and the neurotransmitter systems involved in the effects of psychoactive drugs. Subsequent lectures will focus on the neuropharmacology of specific classes of psychoactive drugs including alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, marijuana, opiates, amphetamines and psychedelics. Later lectures will evaluate the use of drugs in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety disorders and schizophrenia. Grades will be based on one final exam.
Learning outcome: Participants will learn the basics of neuropharmacology and understand how psychoactive drugs affect neuronal processing and behavior. Students should be able to answer these questions after completing the course: How is our behavior affected by these drugs? What are the neuropharmacological mechanisms of drug action? What insights do drug studies provide us about normal and abnormal brain function?
- Teacher: Florian Eberhardt
- Teacher: Dustin Fetterhoff