Basis of Psychopharmacology

Year
3

Academic year
2014-2015

Code
01741934

Subject Area
Related Areas

Language of Instruction
Portuguese

Other Languages of Instruction
English

Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face

ECTS Credits
6.0

Type
Elective

Level
1st Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

None other than those implicit in this level.

Teaching Methods

Besides expositions by the teacher, several material (texts, video recordings and group discussions) will be used and promoted.

Learning Outcomes

Students should develop basic knowledge in order to correctly understand the use and the main effects of psychotropic drugs. They should also understand its clinical and therapeutic use.

Work Placement(s)

Syllabus

Principles of Psychopharmacology

Structure and function of the nervous system

Chemical messengers: neurotransmitters, hormones and neuropeptides

Catecholamines

Acetylcholine and serotonin

Glutamate and gaba

Drug abuse and dependence

Psychosocial aspects related to the use and consumption of psychotropic drugs.

Head Lecturer(s)

Carlos Manuel Lopes Pires

Assessment Methods

Continuous
Individual papers (50% of the final classification) and group tasks (50%): 100.0%

Final
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Julien, R. M. (2005). A primer of drug action: A comprehensive guide to the actions, uses, and side effects of psychoactive drugs. NY: Worth Publishers.

Pagliaro, L. A. & Pagliaro, A. M. (1999). PPDR: Psychologists’ Psychotropic Drug Reference. NY: Brunner/Mazel.

Srikanth, S. & Ann Mortimer, A. (2012). Practice Questions in Psychopharmacology. Springer Healthcare.

Michel Salazar Vallejo (2011). Manual de Psicofarmacología. Editorial Médica Panamericana S.A.