Required text: Trimble MR (1996) Biological Psychiatry, Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY.
Recommended text: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, (1994) American Psychiatric Association, Washington DC. (on reserve in library for copying)

Prerequisites: Neural Foundations of Behavior (BCS 110), Biopsychology (Psych 141) or Machinery of the Human Brain (NSC/PSY 152)
Class size: Limited to approximately 20 students (emphasis on class participation)

General description of course (three sections approximately equal time for each)

• Section I will focus on a series of videotaped case vignettes that illustrate the signs and symptoms of a variety of psychiatric syndromes. There will be an initial emphasis on the history of psychiatry, linking these cases to how they would have been viewed through the ages. Further, during this section, descriptive terminology will be reviewed that most accurately describes the phenomena of these syndromes. The current diagnostic classification, using the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV), for these syndromes/disorders will then be addressed along with the rationale for these classifications.

• Section II of the course will overview the neuroscience concepts particularly relevant to psychiatric symptomatology and review research methods particularly useful in psychiatric research. Phenomena resulting from "limbic" pathology with be emphasized, as well as the current concept of a limbic system and its neural circuitry. The theorized neural substrates of arousal, attention, coordinated movement and thought, hedonic capacity, and goal directed behavior will be covered. This section will provide a rationale for the research findings covered in the last section of the course.

• Section III will specifically examine the currently established biological findings in mental disorders, including: anxiety and phobic conditions, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, mania, and chronic psychotic states (particular emphasis on schizophrenia). If time permits, other syndromes, including attention deficit and eating disorders, post-traumatic stress syndrome, and substance abuse findings will be touched upon. Time allowing, some of these topics will be chosen based on class interest. This section may also include a brief overview of the most effective biological treatment modalities for specific syndromes and some of the advances in biological treatments showing promise for the future. We will attempt to synthesize the research findings, neuroscience knowledge, and effective treatments in a way that is theoretically sound and results in testable hypotheses that suggests additional research that would either confirm/reject this synthesis.

Additional readings selected and distributed from:

Bloom FE, Kupfer DJ (1995) Psychopharmacology: The Fourth Generation of Progress, Raven Press, New York. (pharmacologic and neurotransmitter findings in major syndromes)
Kaplan HI & Sadock BJ (1989) Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry, Fifth Edition, Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore MD.
Mesulam M (1985) Principles of Behavioral Neurology, F.A. Davis Company, Philadelphia, pp. 1-59, 125-162. (overview of cortical function, limbic system, state/channel functions, hemispheric lateralization)
Selected recent review articles pertaining to biological findings in psychiatric syndromes. These articles will be selected generally from the Archives of General Psychiatry, Biological Psychiatry, Biological Psychology, Psychiatry Research, and the British Journal of Psychiatry.

Class format:

Two one hour and fifteen minute meetings per week, divided into two sections. The first 45 minutes will consist of a lecture on the topic material assigned, or presentation of a case directly relevant to the reading material or lecture. It is expected that readings be done prior to lecture in order to facilitate class discussion/participation. After a 5 minute break, there will be a 25 minute period for: discussion of the topic of the lecture/case vignette, audio or videotape of material providing further background for the topic, or discussion of the clinical case and assigned readings. In section III of the class, in addition to lectures (as above), small groups will be expected to present a current article (detailed outline for presentation will be provided) on a psychiatric syndrome of interest. I will help with the necessary literature search for this project, using the Medline database.

Assessment of performance:

There will be two tests and two quizzes during the semester (see calendar). Tests will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions, with one essay question. Exams will count for 40% of the grade, quizzes 20%, research paper presentation 20%, and class preparation and participation 20%. Though not required, those interested and desiring additional credit may submit a 5 page original paper on the neurobiology of a selected psychiatric syndrome.

Handouts for today:

• Class description (this ho)
  
• Calendar of lectures, readings, quizzes, tests
  
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM IV) glossary of common terms
  
• DSM IV description and criteria for adjustment disorder and criteria for schizophrenia
  
• Kaplan & Sadock: chapter on history of psychiatry (actually on reserve at Carlson library)

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September 20, 1996