BCS 246: Biological Basis of Mental Disorders

Monday, Wednesday, 4:50-6:05

Fall 1998



 
 
 
 
Professor Carol Kellogg   Professor Peter Como
Office: Meliora 186  Office: Meliora 171
Telephone: 5-4801  Telephone: 5-8726
Office Hours: 4:00-4:30, M &W or  by appointment Office Hours: 4:15-4:45, M & W 
  or by appointment

e-mail:kellogg@bcs.rochester.edu

 e-mail: como@etin.mct.rochester.edu

 

Course Intent: The objective of this course is to present current understanding of the neurobiology of various disorders generally classified as "mental disorders." The working concept to be presented is that all disorders of the brain are "neurobiological disorders." Basic concepts of neurobiology will be presented coincidentally with clinical presentations and a discussion of the clinical management of the various disorders.

Text: We are using the newly published book, "Neurobiology of Mental Illness", D.S. Charney, E.J. Nestler, B.S.Bunney, Oxford University Press, 1999.

Course Evaluation: Five exams accounting for 100% of the final grade will be given. Both take-home and in-class exams are scheduled. The in-class exams may include discussion questions for which study questions will be handed out prior to the in-class exams. Some of the study uestions will be on the exam while other questions may not be identical to the study questions but will be similar.

Lecture Schedule and Assigned Reading


Jan. 12 Introduction

 

 
UNIT 1: Basic Concepts of Brain Function
 
Neurochemical Systems Ch.2   C. Kellogg
Jan. 17  Signal Transduction Ch.3, 4  C. Kellogg
Jan. 19 Mechabisms of Neural Plasticity Ch. 5 C. Kellogg
Take-Home Problem Set: Due in Jan. 24

 
 
UNIT 2: Neurobiology of Psychoses

 
Jan. 24  The major psychoses Ch. 15 P. Como
Jan. 26 Pharmacotherapy of psychoses Ch. 22 P. Como
Jan 31 Neurobiology of Psychoses Chs. 1, 18, 19, 20 C. Kellogg
 
 
UNIT 3: Mood Disorders

Feb. 2
Classification of Mood Disorders Ch. 23  P. Como
Feb. 7  Pharmacotherapy of Mood Disorders Ch. 31 P. Como
Feb. 9 Neurobiology of Mood Disorders Ch. 26,27, 30 C. Kellogg
Take-Home Exam over UNITS 2 and 3: Due in Feb. 14

 
 
UNIT 4: Anxiety Disorders
Feb. 14 Classification of anxiety disorders Ch. 32 P. Como
Feb. 16 Obsessive-Compulsive disorders Ch. 37 P. Como
Feb. 21 Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders P. Como
Feb. 23 Neurobiology of anxiety disorders I Ch. 5,34,35,36,38 C. Kellogg
Feb. 28  Neurobiology of anxiety disorders II C. Kellogg
March 1 In-Class Exam over UNIT 4
March 6, 8  Spring Break

 
 

UNIT 5: Addictive disorders
March 13  Neural Mechanisms of addiction Ch 40, 41, 43, 44 C. Kellogg
March 15 Profile of an addicted brain Video C. Kellogg

 

UNIT 6: Neurodegenerative Disorders
March 20  Neural Mechanisms of Cell Death C. Kellogg
March 22 Parkinsonês Disease P. Como
March 27 Huntingtonês Disease P. Como

March 29
Alzheimerês Disease Ch. 46, 47, 50, 52, 56 P. Como
April 3 In-Class Exam overUnits 5 and 6

 
 

UNIT 7: Childhood Onset Disorders
April 5 Tourette's syndrome Ch. 59 P. Como
April 10 Attention Deficit Disorders Ch. 60,61,62 P. Como
April 12 Guest Lecure: Autism Ch. 58 P. Rodier

  

UNIT 8: Special Topics
April 17 Sex Specific Aspects of brain structure and function Video and Lecture C. Kellogg
April 19 Eating Disorders Ch. 68 P. Como
April 24 Guest Lecture: Sleep and Mood Disorders Ch. 70
April 26 In-Class Exam over Units 7 and 8