Psychopharmacology: Drugs, the Brain and Behavior (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Linda F. Quenzer (Author) "Although we intuitively feel that we know what a drug is, its definition changes from culture to culture and even within a culture over time..." (more)
Key Phrases: drug disposition tolerance, physical dependence model, depot binding, United States, Section Summary, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From The New England Journal of Medicine

In the preface to this book, the authors point out that for thousands of years humans have used psychoactive substances to modify their perceptions and mood. Indeed, some observers believe that such behavior may be a defining characteristic of the human condition. In contrast to the millennial history of drug taking, the era of scientific psychopharmacology is very short; perhaps its proper beginning can be dated to the middle of the 20th century. Since then, the rate of accrual of new knowledge in the field has increased enormously. (Figure) The authors aim to produce an introductory textbook on psychopharmacology and to convey some of the excitement that they find in this discipline. They attempt to create an integrated work, linking the basic principles of pharmacology, neurophysiology, and related neuroscience; the key features of the neurotransmitter systems; and the theories and mechanisms of related illnesses, including substance abuse and major psychiatric disorders. The authors have succeeded in reaching all these goals. They cover the important topics with great clarity, and the reader will find all the subjects accessible. "Hooks" at the beginning of each chapter -- such as an image of the title page of Uber Coca, Sigmund Freud's tribute to the virtues of cocaine -- catch the interest of the reader; the authors, while not compromising the thoroughness of their scientific explanations, have greatly enhanced the book's readability with this technique. A particular delight is that the book is sumptuously illustrated -- many of the illustrations are eye-catching and attention-grabbing. As with any first edition, there are one or two minor flaws in the writing and minor errors in the references. Available to qualified adopters of this textbook are special supplements -- a resource CD for instructors, which contains all the figures, illustrations, photographs, and tables from the book, as well as a test bank consisting of 50 questions per chapter. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to learn about psychopharmacology. Allan Hunter Young, M.D., Ph.D.
Copyright © 2005 Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved. The New England Journal of Medicine is a registered trademark of the MMS.

Product Description

Recent advances in molecular pharmacology and brain imaging have revolutionized our understanding of how psychoactive drugs work. Now, from the authors of Principles of Neuropsychopharmacology, comes a new undergraduate textbook integrating these developments. The first section of the book provides extensive foundation materials, including the basic principles of pharmacology, neurophysiology and neuroanatomy, synaptic transmission, and methods in psychopharmacology. The second section describes key features of major neurotransmitter systems, including the catecholamines, serotonin, acetylcholine, glutamate and GABA. The third and fourth sections discuss theories and mechanisms of drug addiction and psychopathology. All major substances of abuse as well as drugs used to treat mental illness are covered.

Psychopharmacology: Drugs, the Brain and Behavior is unique in its breadth of coverage, ranging from historical accounts of drug use to clinical and preclinical behavioral studies to the latest research on drug effects in transgenic mouse models. Student engagement with the material is fostered by opening each chapter with a relevant vignette and by providing breakout boxes presenting novel or cutting-edge topics for special discussion. The book is extensively illustrated with full-color photographs and line art depicting important concepts and experimental data. Psychopharmacology: Drugs, the Brain and Behavior is appropriate for undergraduate psychopharmacology or drugs and behavior courses that emphasize relationships between the behavioral effects of psychoactive drugs and their mechanisms of action.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 555 pages
• Publisher: Sinauer Associates; 1 edition (October 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878935347
• ISBN-13: 978-0878935345
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #48,321 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful book, December 15, 2006

By	Emiliya Mezhericher (NY, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It is relatively easy to read and very informative. Also, section summaries, in-text boxes, and figures are ample and fantastic! However, although very useful, at times there is too much extraneous information.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive - but ..., August 10, 2008

By	Adrian Dunn (Honolulu, HI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I agree with the three previous reviews that the book is easy to read, comprehensive, and has excellent illustrations and summary tables. But, at times there is too much complex information presented. The major problem is that with a cover date of 2004, it is sadly out of date, and thus fails to cover important new information, especially the significance of neuroregeneration (which as well known by 2004) and serotonin's role in the brain. My major specific criticism is that the chapter on affective disorders reviews very nicely the various therapeutic approaches especially to depression (with the above caveat about new findings), but the student reader comes away very confused, because there is no synthesis of the complex data and approaches. I understand very well how difficult that is to do, but at the end of this very long chapter, the student is left hanging. Let's hope a new edition will help.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great basic review of pharmacology, February 20, 2007

By	Ashlee R. Crumbly "drumdela007" (Cleveland, OH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am very pleased with the basic explanation presented by the authors of this textbook. It is broken down that it is so simple, yet builds it up so you are able to understand, or reference back to previous topics of discussion when you approach complex topics.