Overview

This unit examines issues in neuropsychopharmacology. Students will study how drugs that act on nervous tissue alter behaviour and physiology. In particular, they will examine the effects of drugs and dietary supplements on brain chemistry and brain function in both healthy and diseased states.

Requisites

Prerequisites
NEU20006 Neurophysiology
MBP20011 Clinical Practicum 1

Rules

Pre-requisite
NEU20006 Neurophysiology
OR
MBP20011 Clinical Practicum 1 - Neuro

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical and empirical basis underpinning the effects of drugs and nutrition on brain function, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, in health and disease
  • Critically apply a broad and deep knowledge of the scientific method in pharmaco-imaging
  • Write advanced report on contemporary issues in studying the effects of drugs on brain and behavior
  • Evaluate scientific literature in neuropsychopharmacology through informed critical appraisal of published research

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Lecture		2.00 12 weeks 24
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Tutorial		1.00 12 weeks 12
Specified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Readings		2.00 12 weeks 24
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Independent Learning		7.50 12 weeks 90
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssignmentIndividual 25% 1,3,4 
Case StudiesIndividual 25% 1,2,4 
ExaminationIndividual 50% 1,2,4 

Content

  • Basic principles of neuropsychopharmacology: routes of administration, pharmacokinetics, the blood-brain barrier and pharmacodynamics
  • CNS stimulants and depressants
  • Serotonin and mood and the hallucinogens
  • Antipsychotics and Antidepressants
  • Neuropsychopharmacology in Alzheimer’s disease
  • Recreational drugs
  • Anaesthetics and brain function
  • Diet and brain function
  • Dietary supplements and brain function
  • Neuroimaging and neuropsychopharmacology

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.