Julien's Primer of Drug Action

Claire D. Advokat is Professor of Psychology at Louisiana State University, USA. Her primary interest is in understanding the clinical effectiveness and the mechanism of action of drugs used in the treatment of mental illness, such as the antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and anxiolytics. Joseph Comaty is Adjunct Professor at Louisiana State University, USA. His primary area of research is clinical psychopharmacology. In particular, he is interested in the study of the clinical treatment for the major psychiatric disorders of schizophrenia, major depression, and bipolar disorder. Robert M. Julien, M.D., was previously an Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Anesthesiology at the Oregon Health Sciences University, USA. His many research articles focus on the psychopharmacology of sedative and antiepileptic drugs. Robert M. Julien currently practices anesthesiology in Portland, Oregon.

Part 1 Biological Basis of Drug Action1. The Neuron, Synaptic Transmission, and Neurotransmitters.- 2. Pharmacokinetics: How the Body Handles Drugs.-  3. Pharmacodynamics: How Drugs Act.- Part 2 Pharmacology of Drugs of Abuse.- 4. Neurobiology of Addiction.- 5. Ethyl Alcohol and the Inhalants of Abuse.- 6. Stimulants Part .- 1 Caffeine and Nicotine7. Stimulants Part.-  2 Cocaine, Amphetamine, NonAmphetamine Stimulants.- 8. Hallucinogens.-  9. Cannabinoids.- 10. Opioids .- Part 3 Drugs Used to Treat Psychological Disorders.- 11. Antipsychotic Drugs: Major Tranquilizers to Thymic Stabilizers.- 12. Antidepressant Drugs.- 13. Sedative-Hypnotic and Anxiolytic Medications.- 14. Drugs Used to Treat Bipolar Disorder.- Part 4 Special Populations and Integration.- 15. Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology.- 16. Geriatric Psychopharmacology.- 17. Integration.- Chapter 17 Appendix: Quick .- Reference to Psychotropic Medications.