Chapter 3: Neurobiology and Pharmacotherapy

NEUROBIOLOGY and PHARMACOTHERAPY 1

Regulating behavior and carrying out mental process are responsibilities of the brain. 2

The brain serves as the coordinator, of the body’s response of both:  Internal changes  External changes For the interpretation and integration of the incoming information, appropriate response is required. Goal of response Is to maintain homeostasis Maintain life. It is important to remember that the skeletal muscles controlled by the brain include the diaphragm 4

 Entire cycle of sleep and wakefulness  The intensity of alertness while the person is awake Is regulated and coordinated by various regions of the brain.  Many of the drugs used to treat psychiatric problems interfere with the normal regulation of sleep and alertness. 5

6 Dopamine Glutamate Norepinephrine GABA Serotonin Histamine Acetylcholine

 Pharmacodynamics ◦ study of what a drug does to the body and how it does  Pharmacokinetics ◦ movement of a drug through the body ◦ four basic process  Pharmacogenetics ◦ explains how genetic variation leads to altered drug responses in different individuals and ethnic groups  Therapeutic Inex (TI) ratio  Agonism vs antagonism