PSYC 450 (PSYC450)

Chapter 1 of the document delves into the fundamental aspects of pharmacology, the science of drug action. It highlights the historical use of plants in medicine, referencing ancient Egyptian and Indian texts that detail remedies for various ailments. The chapter also emphasizes the ongoing reliance on herbal medicines in many parts of the world, including the United States, where natural products were prominent in the late 1990s. It introduces specialized fields, such as neuropharmacology and p...

Chapter 2 of the document explores the structure and function of the nervous system, focusing on the fundamental roles of neurons and glial cells. It begins by discussing the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into neurons and glial cells, which provide essential support to neurons. The chapter outlines the major external features of neurons, including the soma, dendrites, and axon, and emphasizes the significance of the semipermeable membrane, mitochondria, and ATP synthesis in neuron func...

Chapter 4 of the document "Techniques in Behavioral Pharmacology" focuses on various methodologies utilized to evaluate animal behaviour in the context of behavioural pharmacology. The chapter emphasizes the importance of animal studies for understanding the neurochemical basis of behaviour and developing models for psychiatric disorders. Techniques discussed include simple behavioural observation, motor activity measures, and operant conditioning. The chapter highlights how these methods allo...

Chapter 3 delves into the intricate mechanisms of chemical signalling by neurotransmitters and hormones within the nervous system. It begins with the basic concepts of synaptic transmission, highlighting the directionality from presynaptic to postsynaptic cells and the structural components of synapses, such as axodendritic and axosomatic synapses. The chapter further explores neurotransmitters' synthesis, release, and inactivation, noting the diverse chemical classes, including amino acids, mo...