The Biological Basis of Addiction.

Catalog description

11-week online course; 4 credits. Open only to students in the International Program in Addiction Studies (Master of Science in Addiction Studies), graduate certificate program in addiction studies or with permission of the IPAS program director. Designed to provide an overview of the neuropharmacology of drugs of abuse and dependence, including basic principles of drug action as well as comprehensive coverage of the major classes of drugs (opioids, stimulants, nicotine, alcohol, sedatives, cannabis, hallucinogens). Students will study mechanisms of action, effects, pharmacokinetics as well as tolerance and dependence for each of these drugs/drug classes. The reasons for addiction including biological, genetic, cultural and other determinants will be discussed. Laboratory-based methods used in addiction research will be covered.