Psychopharmacology

Provides an overview of today's psychopharmaceuticals, their therapeutic uses, adverse effects and limitations. An account of the history of psychopharmacology is followed by detailed descriptions of current research in animals and humans aimed at developing even more effective and safe medications. Concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, including so-called mechanisms of action of psychopharmaceuticals, are explained. Advanced techniques such as SPECT, PET, and fMRI and their uses in psychopharmacology research are described. The book also provides a critical discussion of the relationship between drug-based and non-drug based therapies for mental disorders and addresses economic aspects of psychopharmacology.