Neuroscience 0081: Section 12658

Drugs and Behavior – Spring 2011

Lecture: MWF 10-10:50pm CLAPP – L9 Recitation/ Review: W 12-12:50pm 169Crawford

Instructor: Dr. Ann D. Cohen

Office Hours: By appointment only

Mailbox: 1406 Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic Office Phone: 412-246-6251

TAs: Nicole ScheffMichelle Carter

Emails:

Course Description: This course provides a general background in the fields of neuroscience and psychopharmacology. The course examines the biological mechanisms of action and the behavioral effects of the major groups of psychoactive drugs. Lectures will focus on a discussion of psychoactive drugs that are commonly abused such as amphetamines and alcohol. Theories of drug addiction will also be evaluated. Lectures will also focus on a discussion of drugs used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and depression. Theories of the neurobiological basis of these illnesses will also be discussed. In general, the course will focus on such questions as:

How is our behavior affected by these psychoactive drugs?

Where and how in the nervous system do these drugs act to alter our behavior?

What insights does this information provide us about normal and abnormal brain function?

Texts:

  1. Recommended: McKim, W.A. Drugs and Behavior: An Introduction to Behavioral Pharmacology, Sixth Edition, Prentice Hall, 2007

Class Format:

The general class format is lecture-style. However, I encourage you to raise any questions and/or points of discussion during class. There will be some group work and discussion in class and you are expected to fully participate. I will also often ask questions to reinforce concepts or stimulate discussion. Please feel free to participate as this will enhance the enjoyment of this class. Videos and demonstrations will also be utilized throughout the course to demonstrate or reinforce major concepts from the material. If at any time you have questions you prefer not to ask me or the teaching assistants, feel free to see me after class or email them to me.

Classroom and Course Etiquette: Please attend class. It is in your best interest and is the best opportunity to learn and understand the material and ask questions. Please use the resources at your disposal to aid in your class performance. These include the text book, lecture slides, online supplements provided, and especially your instructor and your teaching assistants! Please do not hesitate to ask or expression confusion or frustration. We cannot help if you don’t ask!

Please turn off all cell phones and other electronic devices before class and put them away. If you are seen with any of these items during class we may: 1) ask you to put them away, 2) ask you to leave the classroom, 3) if during an EXAM: collect your exam and take action based on academic integrity violations.

Courseweb: Blackboard will be used in conjunction with this course ( Please check Blackboard daily for:

-Announcements

-Updated course materials

-Posted lecture slides

-Exam and worksheet grades

Grading:

  1. Exams
  2. There are a total of 5 exams given for this course
  3. The lowest exam grade will be dropped (this CANNOT be the final)
  4. Make-up exams will not be allowed
  5. A total of 4 exams will = 80% of the final grade
  6. Exams are all objective
  7. The final exam is NOT cumulative
  1. Worksheets:
  2. Worksheets will be given throughout class (10 total, 8 will count for grading)- they will be open book/notes and can be completed in groups- worth 20% of the final grade.
  3. There are absolutely no make-ups for worksheets- NO EXCEPTIONS. Two will be dropped- so you can miss 2 classes/worksheets without penalty.
  1. Calculation:
  2. (4 HIGHEST EXAM SCORES + 8 HIGHEST QUIZ SCORES) / 500 = final percentage

Grading Scale
Letter Grade / Percentage Range / Letter Grade / Percentage Range
A+ / 98-100 / C+ / 78-79
A / 93-97 / C / 72-77
A- / 90-92 / C- / 70-71
B+ / 88-89 / D / 60-69
B / 82-87 / F / Below 60
B- / 80-81

Academic integrity:

Please see the College of Arts and Sciences web page for details on academic integrity

Disabilities and Special Needs:

If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and Disability Resources and Services, 216 William Pitt Union, 412-648-7890 or 412-383-7355 (TTY) as early as possible in the term. Please go to the Student Affairs website at for more information.

Recitation/ Review: Recitation may not be held every single week. This will be up to the discretion of the instructor and you will be informed in advance. However, there will be office hours provided by all teaching assistants and the instructor at a minimum of 4 hours per week.

  • Review/Summary of lecture material
  • Question/Answer with the Teaching Assistants
  • Useful for: studying, clarifying concepts, etc

Date / Topic / Reading
Jan 5 / NO CLASS
Jan 7 / NO CLASS
Jan 10 / Outline/Syllabus
1: What Drugs and What Behaviors? / n/a
Jan 12 / 2: Drug Actions in the Body: ADME / p. 1-2
Jan 14 / NO CLASS
Jan 17 / NO CLASS- MLK DAY
Jan 19 / 3: Drug Actions in the Body: Dose Response Curves
REVIEW / p. 3-6
Jan 21 / 4: Neuroanatomy, Cells of Nervous System / p. 6-23
Jan 24 / 5: Neural communication: Resting Potential / p. 57-60, 72-80
Jan 26 / 6: Neural communication: Action Potentials
REVIEW / p. 60-62
Jan 28 / EXAM I
Jan 31 / 7: Synaptic Transmission / p. 62-68
Feb 2 / 8: Neurotransmitters / p. 68-72
Feb 4 / 9: Neurobiology of Reinforcement and Tolerance / n/a
Feb 7 / 10: Neurobiology of Dependence and Withdrawal / p. 42-44, 48-52
Feb 9 / 11: Depressants: Alcohol
REVIEW / p. 45-48
Feb 11 / 12: Depressants: Benzodiazepines/Barbiturates / p. 128-159
Feb 14 / EXAM II / p. 161-177
Feb 16 / 13: Stimulants: Cocaine / p. 179-197
Feb 18 / 14: Stimulants: Amphetamine, Methamphetamine / n/a
Feb 21 / 15: Stimultants: Caffeine / p. 241-259
Feb 23 / 16: Stimulants: Nicotine
REVIEW / p. 241-259
Feb 25 / 17: Marijuana / p. 220-239
Feb 28 / 18: Marijuana / p. 198-218
Mar 2 / 19: Narcotics: Opiates and Pain
REVIEW / p. 313-335
Mar 4 / 20: Narcotics: Opiates and Pain / p. 313-335
Mar 7-11 / NO CLASS, Spring Break
Mar 14 / EXAM III
Mar 16 / 21: Hallucinogens: Serotonergic / p. 261-281
Mar 18 / 22: Hallucinogens: Ecstasy, NMDA Antagonists / n/a
Mar 21 / 23: What Is Addiction? / p. 336-347
Mar 23 / 24: Studying Drugs and Behavior in Animals
REVIEW / p. 348-354
Mar 25 / 25: Studying Drugs and Behavior in Humans / p. 91-95
Mar 28 / 26: Treatment of Addiction / n/a
Mar 30 / 27: Treatment of Addiction
REVIEW / n/a
Apr 1 / EXAM IV / n/a
Apr 4 / Affective Disorders: Schizophrenia / n/a
Apr 6 / Affective Disorders: Schizophrenia / n/a
Apr 8 / Affective Disorders: ADHD / n/a
Apr 11 / Neurodegenerative Disease: Parkinson’s Disease / p. 283-295
Apr 13 / Neurodegenerative Disease: Parkinson’s Disease
REVIEW / p. 283-295
Apr 15 / Neurodegenerative Disease: Alzheimer’s / n/a
Apr 18 / Affective Disorders: Depression / n/a
Apr 20 / Affective Disorders: Anxiety / n/a
Apr 22 / Wrap-up
REVIEW / n/a
TBA / Exam V – Final (NOT CUMULATIVE, CANNOT BE DROPPED)