Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 SGPP Catalog and Handbook 
    
2017-2018 SGPP Catalog and Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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PYD802 Physiological Psychology and Psychopharmacology (3 cr.)

Prerequisite(s): MA course in Physiological Psychology
This interdisciplinary course explores explanations of the human experience in terms of biological substrates. Topics covered include neural development over the lifespan, neural plasticity, genetic vulnerabilities, imbalance of neurotransmitters and hormones, and brain dysfunctions. This course also covers interactions of psychoactive drugs with the central nervous system and neurotransmitters to influence cognition, emotion, and behavioral processes. Emphasis is on psychiatric medication with the spectrum of psychiatric disorders and drugs of abuse. The biopsychosocial perspective is used to integrate and acknowledge the dynamic bidirectional relationships among the multiple causal factors that contribute to behavior and mental disorders.


Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

  1. Discuss with clients a proficient knowledge of neuroanatomy, neural plasticity, neuron, glial, and synaptic physiology.
  2. Explain the neurobiology of normal behavior and how disruptions of these neurobiological substrates lead to pathological stress and mental disorders.
  3.  Demonstrate knowledge of biological (pathophysiologic) mechanisms involved in the onset and progression of mental disorders.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the pharmacology of therapeutic drugs (e.g., pharmacokinetics/ pharmacodynamics of drugs) associated with the treatment of the spectrum of Axis I and Axis II disorders and drugs of abuse.
  5. Analyze major theoretical issues and controversies surrounding the use of psychoactive drugs.
  6. Discuss professionally with the client and/or significant support persons how a particular drug treats a mental disorder, the clinical efficacy relative to the side effect profile, and treatment alternatives and combinations.
     



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