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Drugs and the Neuroscience of Behavior
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Drugs and the Neuroscience of Behavior
An Introduction to Psychopharmacology

Third Edition
  • Adam Prus - Northern Michigan University, USA


August 2020 | 670 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Drugs and the Neuroscience of Behavior presents an introduction to the rapidly advancing field of psychopharmacology by examining how drug actions in the brain affect psychological processes. Author Adam Prus provides historical background to give readers an appreciation for the development of drug treatments and neuroscience over time, covering major topics in psychopharmacology including new drugs and recent trends in drug use. Empirically supported pedagogical features offer students the opportunity to reflect on what they read to ensure understanding before progressing to new content. The Third Edition includes a new chapter on depressants and discussions of major topics such as the opioid epidemic, the risks associated with vaping, and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD.


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offers access to all text-specific resources, including a test bank and editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides. Learn more.

 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
Chapter 1. Introduction to Psychopharmacology
Psychopharmacology

 
Why Read a Book on Psychopharmacology?

 
What Is a Drug?

 
Psychoactive Drugs Are Described by Manner of Use

 
Generic, Brand, Chemical, and Street Names for Drugs

 
Drug Effects Correspond With Doses

 
Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacogenetics

 
Objective and Subjective Effects of Psychoactive Drugs

 
Study Designs and the Assessment of Psychoactive Drugs

 
Validity and the Interpretation of Study Findings

 
Ethical Considerations in Research

 
From Actions to Effects: Therapeutic Drug Development

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 2. The Nervous System
Cells in the Nervous System

 
The Nervous System

 
Cerebral Blood Flow and Cerebrospinal Fluid

 
Genes and the Physiological Processes of Cells

 
From Actions to Effects: Advances in Therapeutic Use of CRISPR Genetic Technology

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 3. Neurotransmission
Electrical Events Within a Neuron and the Release of Neurotransmitters

 
Electrical Potentials Along Axons

 
Propagation of Action Potentials Down Axons

 
Neurotransmitters: Signalling Molecules for Neuronal Communication

 
Neurotransmitters and Receptors

 
Types of Neurotransmitters

 
Other Types of Chemical Transmission in the Nervous System

 
From Actions to Effects: Probiotics and Mental Health

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 4. Properties of Drugs
Pharmacokinetic Properties of Drugs

 
Pharmacodynamic Properties of Drugs

 
Psychoactive Drugs and Receptors

 
Adaptations to Chronic Drug Use

 
From Actions to Effects: Environmental Neurotoxicology

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 5. Drugs of Abuse
Regulatory Agencies and Drug Classification

 
Clinical Definitions and the Diagnosis of Drug Addiction

 
Theoretical Models and the Features of Drug Addiction

 
Drugs of Abuse and Reward Circuitry

 
Chronic Use of Abused Substances and Changes to Learning and Memory Systems

 
Neurobiology and the Stages of Drug Addiction

 
Mortality and Drug Addiction

 
Psychological and Pharmacological Therapies for Treating Drug Addiction

 
From Actions to Effects: Food Addiction

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
A Final Note About Drug Addiction

 
 
Chapter 6. Psychostimulants
Psychostimulants: Herbal Products, Prescription Drugs, and Substances of Abuse

 
Pharmacokinetics of Psychostimulants

 
Psychostimulants and Monoamine Neurotransmitters

 
Pharmacological Effects of Psychostimulants

 
From Actions to Effects: Psychostimulants as Cognitive Enhancers and Treatments for ADHD

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 7. Nicotine and Caffeine
Nicotine and Tobacco

 
History of Tobacco

 
Pharmacokinetic Properties of Tobacco

 
Nicotine and Nervous System Functioning

 
Nicotine’s Pharmacological Effects

 
Environmental, Genetic, and Receptor Differences Between Light and Heavy Tobacco Users

 
From Actions to Effects: Why People Smoke and How They Quit

 
Caffeine

 
Caffeine Absorption, Duration, and Interaction With Other Psychoactive Drugs

 
Caffeine: Antagonist for Adenosine Receptors

 
Caffeine: Mild Psychostimulant Effects

 
Tolerance and Withdrawal During Sustained Caffeine Use

 
From Actions to Effects: Caffeine Habit?

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 8. Depressants
Types of Depressant Substances

 
Depressants and GABA Neurotransmission

 
Barbiturates

 
Benzodiazepines

 
Z-Drugs

 
Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)

 
Inhalants

 
From Actions to Effects: Stimulus Properties of GHB and Toluene

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 9. Alcohol
Alcohol: The Most Commonly Used Depressant Substance

 
Alcohol Production Through Fermentation and Distillation

 
History of Alcohol

 
Pharmacokinetic Factors and Alcohol’s Effects

 
Alcohol and Interactions With Other Drugs

 
Alcohol and Central Nervous System Functioning

 
Pharmacological Effects of Alcohol

 
Treating Alcohol Addiction

 
From Actions to Effects: Hangover

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 10. Opioids
Opioids: Natural and Synthetic

 
History of Opioid Use

 
Pharmacokinetic Properties and Opioid Abuse

 
Opioid Drugs and the Endogenous Opioid System

 
Opioid Drugs Are Classified by Receptor Actions

 
Opioids and Reward, Pain, and Stress Systems

 
Opioid Rewarding and Analgesic Effects

 
From Actions to Effects: Pharmacological Approaches for Treating Opioid Addiction

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 11. Cannabinoids
Historical Use of Cannabis

 
Methods of Cannabis Preparation and Use

 
Cannabinoid Compounds and the Endocannabinoid System

 
Physiological Effects of Cannabinoids

 
Behavioral and Cognitive Effects of Cannabinoids

 
Subjective Effects of Cannabinoids

 
Cannabis Use Disorder

 
Health Risks of Cannabis

 
From Actions to Effects: Medical Use of Cannabinoids

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 12. Psychedelic Drugs
Hallucinogens

 
Mixed Stimulant–Psychedelic Drugs

 
Dissociative Anesthetics

 
Other Psychedelic Drugs

 
From Actions to Effects: Synesthesia

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 13. Treatments for Depression and Bipolar Disorder
Mental Disorders

 
Depression

 
Antidepressant Drugs

 
Limitations in Antidepressant Drug Effectiveness and Development

 
Pharmacogenetic Factors in Antidepressant Treatment

 
Combination Drug Strategies for Treating Depression

 
Combining Psychotherapy and Pharmacotherapy for Treating Depression

 
Antidepressant Drugs and Monoamine Neurotransmitter Systems

 
Bipolar Disorder

 
Mood Stabilizers, Anticonvulsants, Antipsychotics, and Antidepressants for Bipolar Disorder

 
From Actions to Effects: Psychedelic Drugs for Treating Depression

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 14. Treatments for Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders

 
Structures Involved in Fear and Anxiety

 
Anxious Feelings, the Amygdala, and the Sympathetic Nervous System

 
Stress and the HPA Axis

 
Anxiolytic Drugs for the Treatment of Anxiety

 
Antidepressant Drugs for the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

 
MDMA Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

 
From Actions to Effects: How Do Antidepressant Drugs Reduce Anxiety?

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 15. Antipsychotic Drugs
Schizophrenia

 
Schizophrenia’s Complex Neurobiological Profile

 
A Brief History of Schizophrenia and Its Treatment

 
Neurotransmission Hypotheses for Schizophrenia

 
Typical and Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs

 
Antipsychotic Drugs and Autism

 
From Actions to Effects: Antipsychotic Drug Actions and Neurotransmission in Schizophrenia

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Glossary
 
References
 
Author Index
 
Subject Index

Supplements

Instructor Resource Site
edge.sagepub.com/prus3e

Online resources included with this text

The online resources for your text are available via the password-protected Instructor Resource Site, which offers access to all text-specific resources, including a test bank and editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides.
Student Resource Site
edge.sagepub.com/prus3e

The open-access Student Study Site makes it easy for students to maximize their study time, anywhere, anytime. It offers flashcards that strengthen understanding of key terms and concepts, as well as learning objectives that reinforce the most important material.

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“This textbook is an excellent source for students to learn about pharmacology and explore their interests on a deeper level with the provided research articles.”

Mansi A. Shah
Temple University

“The images used for laboratory protocols are excellent. They allow students to learn about them in an easy-to-understand way.”

Elizabeth Caldwell
University of New Hampshire
Key features
NEW TO THIS EDITION:
  • Coverage of new major topics includes CRISPR genetic technology, effects of the microbiome on the nervous system, and behavioral mechanisms of drug action.
  • A new chapter on depressants introduces depressant substances, which includes coverage of barbiturates, benzodiazepines, Z-drugs, GHB and inhalants. Content includes characteristics of depressant drugs, the role of GABA for effects of many depressants, and GABAA receptor subtypes that GHB binds to.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Chapter-opening outlines and learning objectives prepare students for forthcoming material and identify what they should be able to accomplish upon completion of the reading.
  • From Actions to Effects sections provide focus on a topic drawing from multiple chapter concepts to show how the actions of a drug produce its effects.
  • Stop & Check questions concluding each section in every chapter allow students to assess their own understanding of main points covered in the previous section.
  • Review! callouts serve as important reminders of information covered in previous chapters to help students make connections and understand new concepts.
  • Drug Profiles provide basic information about a key compound and include a drug’s generic name, trade name and/or street name, and a description of its pharmacological actions.
  • Research Techniques and Methods boxes cover a research technique or method used in psychopharmacology research and serve as an easy reference when students come across research findings derived from each technique.
  • Chapter-ending summaries and key terms allow readers to review and reinforce the material.

For instructors

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