Physiological psychology is a very helpful prerequisite for this course. We will however devote some class time to reveiwing basic information about neurons, electrical and chemical transmission, neurotransmitters, and other fundamental concepts important for this course.
I will be available after the class meeting for as long as necessary. I check my e-mail daily Sherry.Dingman@notes.marist.edu. This is a certain way to get a response. You can also leave voice mail for me (914-575-3000 ext.2955). My office is in Dyson 321.
Feldman, Meyer, Quewer (1997) Principles of Neuropsychopharmacology
Schatzberg and Cole (1991) Manual of Clinical Psychopharmacology
Breggin (1993) Toxic Psychiatry
Other materials you will want to consult for this course include, the Physicians Desk Reference; Szasz’ The Myth of Mental Illness and The Manufacture of Madness; the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Amnesty International's The Breaking of Bodies and Minds: Torture, Psychiatric Abuse and the Health Professions; Huxley's classic work Brave New World; and Of Two Minds: The growing disorder in American Psychiatry by Luhrmann.
Statement of goals and objectives
Psychotrophic drugs have become a significant factor in behavior management, are widely prescribed by general practitioners as well as by psychiatrists, and are frequently self-prescribed. This course is designed to introduce students to the biochemical basis of behavior as the foundation for understanding the effects and side effects of the major classes of psychotrophic drugs. Students will learn how to use major reference works such as the Physician’s Desk Reference for obtaining information about these substances. An historical and social framework will be presented to facilitate students developing a well-reasoned personal stance on the ethical issues involved in chemical therapy.
Knowledge Objectives
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
These learning objectives will be assessed through active class participation and through developing a research proposal for a BSTART grant for NIH. You can find out more about writing a grant proposal at www.theresearchassistant.com
Values Objectives
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
Values objectives will be assessed through reaction papers and quality of class participation.
Assignments
Reaction Papers – 200 points
You will be writing two brief (5 page max.) reaction papers during this course. These papers are intended to allow you to express our thoughts on complex values questions which arise in a society which uses psychotrophic drugs for many reasons. Each of these papers is worth 100 points. The first paper is to be a reaction to any advertising campaign for a psychoactive drug. The second paper is your reaction to either AAAS’s report on psychiatric abuse in the former Soviet Union with special emphasis on how mental illness is defined by society or an portion of Breggin’s book specifically addressing what you think about Breggin’s principles regarding the use of psychotrophic drugs.
BSTART Proposal – 600 points
To demonstrate your grasp of the subject matter of this course, you will create a proposal for a BSTART grant from NIH. These are $40,000 grants to new investigators for preliminary work in a field. You will need to select a narrow question of interest to you that is related to the content of this course, conduct a review of the literature using PubMed and our library, and draft a proposal for funding including a methods section and budge for NIH.
Final Question – 200 points
Your final exam will be your reaction to a (hypothetical) resolution from the American Psychological Association that proposes that psychologists be permitted to write prescriptions. This will be an open note, open book exam.
Course grades
910-1000 points A
880-890 B+
810-879 B
780-809 C+
700-779 C
less that 700 points F
5/21 Introduction and Context: An historical perspective on psychiatry and the use of substances to cure. Overview of the role of the Food and Drug Administration, the pharmaceutical industry and the American Medical Association.
5/28 NO CLASS - MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY
6/4 The Brain: A Crash Course in understanding neurons and their language of electrical and chemical transmission. Methods in Neuropsychopharmacology: Drug metabolism and drug testing.
6/11 The Biochemical basis of Psychotropic Drug Effects: Neurotransmitter Substances
Register and attend the OCD Conference
6/18 Opiates, Alcohol, Marijuana, PCP, LSD
6/25 Amphetamines/Cocaine/Nicotine/Caffeine
7/2 ** NO CLASS ON JULY 2 **
7/9 Antipsychotics and Schizophrenia
7/16 Antidepressants, Lithium and Affective Disorders
7/23 Antianxiety Agents, Sedative-Hypnotics and Special Populations
7/30 Real Life: guests from the front-lines
8/6 Final Exam
8/13 This class was made up by attendance at the OCD Conference