Transcript Biological Basis for Understanding Psychopharmacology

Biological Basis for Understanding
Psychopharmacology
Chapter 4
Psychobiology
• The 101st Congress of the U.S. designated the 1990s
as the “Decade of the Brain,” with the challenge for
studying the biological basis of behavior.
• In keeping with the neuroscientific
revolution, greater emphasis is
placed on the study of the
organic basis for psychiatric
illness.
Youtube site to review
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The Brain--Emotions, Neurons, Neurotransmitters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r71RoIkftd4
NEURONS AND NEURO-TRANSMITTERS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF04XPBj5uc
Neurotransmitter Synapse 3D Animation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90cj4NX87Yk
Synapse animation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiZLnbKVIhM
Implications for Nursing
 Emphasis in psychiatric nursing is on a smooth
transition from a psychosocial approach to a
biopsychosocial focus
 Psychiatric nurses must have a specialized
knowledge about
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Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology
Neuronal processes
Neuroendocrinology
Circadian rhythms
Genetic influences
Psychoimmunology
Psychopharmacology
Diagnostic technology
Circadian
rhythms
Follow a near-24-hour cycle in humans and may
influence a variety of regulatory functions,
including the
sleep-wake cycle, body temperature regulation,
patterns of activity such as eating and drinking,
and
hormone secretion.
• Some mood disorders have been linked to increased secretion
of melatonin during darkness hours.
• Symptoms that occur in the premenstrual cycle have been
linked to disruptions in biological rhythms.
Sleep-wake cycle is one of the most common biological
rhythms that demonstrates circadian influence.
Sleep stages
0 – Alpha
1 – Beta
2 – Theta
3 – Delta
4 – Delta
REM - Beta
Neurochemical influences on sleep-wake cycle
Serotonin and L-tryptophan
Norepinephrine and dopamine
GABA
Acetylcholine