Neuroscience 0081: Section 12658
Drugs and Behavior – Spring 2011
Lecture: MWF 10-10:50pm CLAPP – L9 Recitation/ Review: W 12-12:50pm 169 Crawford
Instructor:
TAs:
Emails:
Dr. Ann D. Cohen
cohenad@upmc.edu
Office Hours: By appointment only
Mailbox: 1406 Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic Office Phone: 412-246-6251
Nicole Scheff
nns6@pitt.edu
Michelle Carter
mdc56@pitt.edu
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 (http://courseweb.pitt.edu). Please check
Blackboard daily for:
- Announcements
- Updated course materials
- Posted lecture slides
- Exam and worksheet grades
Grading:
1. Exams
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
There are a total of 5 exams given for this course
The lowest exam grade will be dropped (this CANNOT be the final)
Make-up exams will not be allowed
A total of 4 exams will = 80% of the final grade
Exams are all objective
The final exam is NOT cumulative
2. Worksheets:
a. 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.
b. There are absolutely no make-ups for worksheets- NO EXCEPTIONS. Two will be droppedso you can miss 2 classes/worksheets without penalty.
3. Calculation:
a. (4 HIGHEST EXAM SCORES + 8 HIGHEST QUIZ SCORES) / 500 = final percentage
Grading Scale
Letter Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
B-
Percentage Range
98-100
93-97
90-92
88-89
82-87
80-81
Letter Grade
C+
C
CD
F
Percentage Range
78-79
72-77
70-71
60-69
Below 60
Academic integrity:
Please see the College of Arts and Sciences web page for details on academic integrity www.pitt.edu
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, 412-6487890 or 412-383-7355 (TTY) as early as possible in the term. Please go to the Student Affairs website at
http://www.drs.pitt.edu/ 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
Jan 5
NO CLASS
Jan 7
NO CLASS
Jan 10
Outline/Syllabus
READING
n/a
1: What Drugs and What Behaviors?
Jan 12
2: Drug Actions in the Body: ADME
Jan 14
NO CLASS
Jan 17
NO CLASS- MLK DAY
Jan 19
3: Drug Actions in the Body: Dose Response Curves
p. 1-2
p. 3-6
REVIEW
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
p. 60-62
REVIEW
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
p. 45-48
REVIEW
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
p. 241-259
REVIEW
Feb 25
17: Marijuana
p. 220-239
Feb 28
18: Marijuana
p. 198-218
Mar 2
19: Narcotics: Opiates and Pain
p. 313-335
REVIEW
Mar 4
Mar 7-11
20: Narcotics: Opiates and Pain
p. 313-335
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
p. 348-354
REVIEW
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
n/a
REVIEW
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
p. 283-295
REVIEW
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
n/a
REVIEW
TBA
Exam V – Final (NOT CUMULATIVE, CANNOT BE
DROPPED)