Psychopharmacological Treatment in Special Populations I

Catalog description

The psychopharmacology of several special populations are discussed in detail in this course. Geriatric psychopharmacology includes: geriatric physiology; cardiac, renal, hepatic changes with aging; pharmacokinetics/dynamics in the elderly; cognition enhancers in Alzheimer's and other dementias. Special treatment of personality disorders, eating disorders, the importance of racial, ethnic, and gender differences and culturally sensitive practice is presented with applications. Pain management psychopharmacology is over-viewed, including: pharmacology of opioid and non-opioid analgesics; pain syndromes; acute and chronic pain; headache; pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to pain management; pharmacology and actions of abused substances: acute effects, withdrawal, biochemistry of tolerance and dependence, brain central reward pathways. Doctorate in Psychology required. Non-majors may be permitted to enroll in this course under limited circumstances with the permission of the course instructor, department head, and graduate school dean. May be repeated up to 3 credits.