Psychopharmacology: An Introduction - Softcover

This title describes the latest advances in psychopharmacology - one of the most rapidly developing fields in modern science. It has been updated to cover new developments in drug therapy and research, including newly introduced antipsychotics, antidepressants and antidementia drugs. Sections on the treatment of depression and dementia have been revised to include new developments in treatment strategies. It will be welcomed for its essentially clinical and psychological approach to modern pharmaceuticals, their therapeutic uses and limitations, adverse reactions and future directions for research.

The fourth edition of this highly successful book incorporates the latest developments in the rapidly expanding field of psychopharmacology. It 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 therapies for mental disorders and addresses economic aspects of psychopharmacology.

The author is a senior industrial psychopharmacologist and academic teacher at the Universities of Basel and Fribourg (Switzerland). Contributions to this book were made by clinicians, specialists in animal pharmacology, clinical research, neuroimaging and pharmacoeconomics to ensure a fully current coverage of these topics.

Reviews of the third edition:

"This book should be read by all psychopharmacologists working with humans or animals. They will learn about the origins of their subject and will almost certainly enjoy the personal style. It would also appeal to scientific psychiatrists." —David Nutt, The British Journal of Psychiatry

"The historical background of psychopharmacology is particularly well covered. [The book] provides an extremely useful tool for those requiring a grounding in the basics of psychopharmacological research and can be highly recommended to clinicians (psychologists, psychiatrists and neurologists) and students alike." —S. Hogg, Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy

Reviews of the second edition:

"This book can be highly recommended to all psychiatrists, psychologists and neurologists because of its truly balanced approach toward behavioural and biological issues. This approach is rarely found in current psychopharmacology texts." —Neurology

"A useful and well-constructed book for anyone who requires updating on the basic essentials of the rapidly developing field of psychopharmacology. This book fills a gap between specializes research monographs and massive tomes on psychopharmacology." —Palliative Medicine