École de psychologie | School of Psychology
136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Vanier 3002, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5
Tél. | Tel.: 613-562-5801 Téléc | Fax: 613-562-5147
Drugs and Behavior
PSY3142 A
Course Outline: Fall, 2015
Professor:
Email:
Philip M Wall, PhD
pwall@uottawa.ca
Class Time & Place:
('Dr Phil')
Office: VNR 2019 & Hours: Tuesdays 1330-1500
Tuesday, 11:30 – 13:00
Fridays, 13:00 – 14:30
LMX 242
TA:
Email:
TA Hours: By appointment
Course Description: Behavioral pharmacology, psychotropic drugs, drug classes, therapeutic indications,
abuse potential, societal impact of drugs.
Course Text: (Mandatory - background reading directly linked to lectures) Psychopharmacology:
Drugs, the Brain, and Behavior / Jerrold S. Meyer & Linda F Quenzer — 2nd ed. Sinauer Associates
Inc., 23 Plumtree Road, P.O. Box 407, Sunderland, MA 01375-0407 (Available in bookstore and on-line)
A quote from the text:
“Importantly, in preparing the new edition of the book we have maintained our conviction that a deep
understanding of the relationship between drugs and behavior requires basic knowledge of how the
nervous system works and how different types of drugs inter-act with nervous system function (i.e.,
mechanisms of drug action)”
A quote from William A. McKim & Stephanie D Hancock in Drugs and Behavior: An Introduction to
Behavioral Pharmacology (2013):
“All behavior is under the control of the nervous system, and the effect of behaviorally active drugs can
ultimately be traced to a direct or an indirect action on some aspect of the functioning of the nervous
system. It is, therefore, necessary to have at least a rudimentary grasp of the normal functioning of the
nervous system to understand the behavioral effects of drugs”
Quotes from Dr PM “Phil” Wall:
"Nothing happens until it happens in the brain first"
"psychology is the study of the relationship between brain and behavior"
"psychopharmacology is the study of the relationship between brain, drugs and behavior"
PLEASE NOTE: Attendance is Mandatory
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1) Familiarize 3rd year psychology students with the field of psychopharmacology.
2) Become familiar with some of the relationships between drugs, their mechanisms of action in the
nervous system and human behavior.
3) Develop an understanding of some of the characteristics of psychoactive drugs, their psychological and
behavioural effects, and mechanisms by which these effects occur.
4) Develop critical thinking skills by independently acquiring information, assimilating this information.
COURSE CONTENT:
Chapter 1 ‘Principles of Pharmacology’ – covered in some detail. Topics include: The Science of Drug
Action; Pharmacokinetic Factors Determining Drug Action; Therapeutic Drug Monitoring;
Pharmacodynamics: Drug–Receptor Interactions; Biobehavioral Effects of Chronic Drug Use;
Pharmacogenetics and Personalized Medicine in Psychiatry.
Chapter 2 ‘Structure & Function of the Nervous System’ – covered in some detail (some of it will be a
necessary review for some students). Topics include: Cells of the Nervous System; Electrical
Transmission within a Neuron; Organization of the Nervous System; Finding Your Way in the Nervous
System; Neuroendocrine Response to Stress.
Chapters 3 ‘Chemical Signalling by Neurotransmitters & Hormones’ – covered in some detail (again a
necessary review for some students). Topics include: Chemical Signaling between Nerve Cells;
Neurotransmitter Synthesis, Release & Inactivation; Neurotransmitter Receptors and Second-Messenger
Systems; Pharmacology of Synaptic Transmission; Synaptic Plasticity; The Endocrine System.
Chapter 4 ‘Methods of Research in Psychopharmacology’ – covered in some detail. Topics include:
Research Methods for Evaluating the Brain and Behavior; Evaluating Animal Behavior; Using Drug
Discrimination Testing; Multiple Neurobiological Techniques for Assessing the CNS.
Chapters 5: ‘Catecholamines’ – covered in some detail. Topics include: Catecholamine Synthesis,
Release, and Inactivation; Organization and Function of the Dopaminergic System; Organization and
Function of the Noradrenergic System.
Chapters 6: ‘Serotonin’ – covered in some detail. Topics include: Serotonin Synthesis, Release, and
Inactivation; Organization and Function of the Serotonergic System; Serotonin & Agression.
Chapters 7: ‘Acetylcholine’ – covered in some detail. Topics include: Acetylcholine Synthesis, Release,
and Inactivation; Organization and Function of the Cholinergic System; Acetylcholine & Cogniyive
Function.
Chapters 8: ‘Glutamate & GABA’ – covered in some detail. Topics include: Glutamate Synthesis,
Release, and Inactivation; Organization and Function of the Glutamatergic System; Role of Glutamate
Receptors & Long Term Potentiation; GABA Synthesis, Release, and Inactivation; Organization and
Function of the GABAergic System; GABA & Epilepsy.
Chapters 9: ‘Drug Abuse & Addiction’ – covered in some detail. Topics include: Introduction to Drug
Abuse and Addiction; Features of Drug Abuse and Addiction; Factors that Influence the Development
and Maintenance of Drug Abuse and Addiction; The Neurobiology of Addiction; What is the Role of
Dopamine in Drug Reward?
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Chapters 11: ‘The Opioids’ – covered in some detail. Topics include: Narcotic Analgesics; Opioid
Receptors & Endogenous Neuropeptides; Opioids & Pain; Opioid Reinforcement, Tolerance &
Dependence; Treatment Programs for Opioid Addiction.
Chapter 12: ‘Psychomotor Stimulants: Cocaine & the Amphetamines’ – covered in some detail. Topics
include: Cocaine – Background & History; Basic Pharmacology of Cocaine; Mechanisms of Cocaine
Action; Acute Behavioral & Physiological Effects of Cocaine; Cocaine Abuse & the Efeccts of Chronic
Cocaine Exposure. The Amphetamines - Background & History; Basic Pharmacology of the
Amphetamines; Mechanisms of Amphetamine & Methamphetamine Action; Behavioral & Neural Effects
of Amphetamines; Psychostimulants & ADHD.
Chapter 17: ‘Environmental Neurotoxicants & Endocrine Disrupters’ – covered in some detail. Topics
include: Neurotoxicity; Endocrine Disruptors. Persistent & Semi-Persistent Organic Pollutants –
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs); Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs); Bisphenyl A (BPA).
Insecticides – Organophosphates (OPs); Pyrethrins & Pyrethroids. Toxic Metals – Lead (Pb); Mercury
(Hg); Arsenic (As).
Chapter 18: ‘Anxiety Disorders: Sedative-Hypnotic & Anxiolytic Drugs’ – covered in some detail. Topics
include: Neurobiology of Anxiety; Characteristics of Anxiety Disorders; Drugs for Treating Anxiety.
Chapter 19: ‘Affective Disorders: Antidepressants & Mood Stabilizers’ – covered in some detail. Topics
include: Characteristics of Affective Disorders; Animal Models of Affective Disorders; Neurochemical
Basis of Mood Disorders; Neurobiological Models of Depression; Drugs for Treating Affective
Disorders.
Chapter 20: ‘Schizophrenia: Antipsychotic Drugs’ – covered in some detail. Topics include:
Characteristics of Schizophrenia; Etiology of Schizophrenia; Preclinical Models of Schizophrenia;
Neurochemical Models of Schizophrenia; Classic Neuroleptics & Atypical Antipsychotics.
Chapter 21: ‘Neurodegenerative Diseases’ – covered in some detail. Topics include: Parkinsons Disease;
Alzheimers Disease; Huntington’s Disease; Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis.
COURSE EVALUATION:

Class lectures will for the most part follow the Chapter format of the textbook with examples and
some material being drawn from outside sources. It is advisable to read the chapters from the text
before class, so that the lectures are more meaningful.

Power Point presentations (for each covered chapter) will be the lecture format and will be placed
on Blackboard course webpage one day after each lecture. These ppt lectures are not meant to be
substitutes for class attendance.

Any material from the textbook (that we cover) and lectures will potentially appear on the exams.

Midterm exam – 40%; final exam – 60% (partially cumulative)
EXAMS:
One Midterm Test and a Final Exam.
Exam will consist of (approximately): (note: the final will have more of each type of question)

30 multiple choice questions worth (0.5) mark each.
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
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These questions will be based on covered material from the textbook and lectures.
5 definitions worth (1) mark each.

You will be expected to accurately define words and concepts that appear in bold letters
in the chapters of the textbook, and for which definitions appear in the glossary (For
example: absorption, concentration gradient).

Your answer will need to be complete in order to receive the full two marks.
 For example: Absorption: refers to 1) the movement of a drug from the site of
administration 2) to the circulation system.
2 short answer questions worth (5) marks each.

These questions will test your ability to think critically about the concepts taught in this
course. Your answers will come from both textbook and lecture material.

Again, your answer needs to be complete & concise in order to receive full marks. Marks
are subdivided such that some points made in your answer will be worth ½ mark.
 For example: you may be asked to explain a concept like the “first pass effect”.
 For you answer to be complete, you would need to include the impact of this
effect on the absorption of a drug into the system.
2 essay questions worth (10) marks each

Your answer needs to be complete & accurate & comprehensive in order to
receive full marks.
CLASS SCHEDULE (subject to minor changes)
Sept. 08: Introduction (course outline/expectations) & ‘Principles of Pharmacology’
Chapter 1
Sept. 11: ‘Principles of Pharmacology’
Chapter 1
Sept. 15: ‘Structure & Function of the Nervous System’
Chapter 2
Sept. 18: ‘Structure & Function of the Nervous System’
Chapter 2
Sept. 22: ‘Chemical Signalling by Neurotransmitters & Hormones’
Chapter 3
Sept. 25: ‘Methods of Research in Psychopharmacology’
Chapter 4
Sept. 29: ‘Catecholamines’
Chapter 5
Oct. 02: ‘Serotonin’
Chapter 6
Oct. 06: ‘Acetylcholine’
Chapter 7
Oct. 09: ‘Glutamate & GABA’
Chapter 8
Oct. 13: (review of Ch’s 1 – 8)
Oct. 16:
Midterm Exam
(Chapters 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 – all materials covered)
Oct. 20: ‘Drug Abuse & Addiction’
Chapter 9
Oct. 23: ‘Drug Abuse & Addiction’
Chapter 9
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31:
Study Break – no classes.
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Nov. 03: ‘The Opioids’
Chapter 11
Nov. 06: ‘Psychomotor Stimulants: Cocaine & the Amphetamines’
Chapter 12
Nov. 10: ‘Environmental Neurotoxicants & Endocrine Disrupters’
Chapter 17
Nov. 13: ‘Anxiety Disorders: Sedative-Hypnotic & Anxiolytic Drugs’
Chapter 18
Nov. 17: ‘Anxiety Disorders: Sedative-Hypnotic & Anxiolytic Drugs’
Chapter 18
Nov. 20: ‘Affective Disorders: Antidepressants & Mood Stabilizers’
Chapter 19
Nov. 24: ‘Affective Disorders: Antidepressants & Mood Stabilizers’
Chapter 19
Nov. 27: ‘Schizophrenia: Antipsychotic Drugs’
Chapter 20
Dec. 01: ‘Schizophrenia: Antipsychotic Drugs’
Chapter 20
Dec. 04: ‘Neurodegenerative Diseases’
Chapter 21
Dec. 08:
(Last Class – Review)
ATTENDANCE:
Policy on attendance, language quality and late submissions
Attendance is required for the successful completion of this course. Class attendance is mandatory and
will be monitored, hence it is strongly recommended that you attend and participate in class discussion.
Students are responsible for obtaining any information missed through absenteeism. I strongly suggest
that students become familiar with the University's policy on attendance (student handbook). Attendance
records will be taken into consideration in the determination of your final grades.
Absences must be justified, and unauthorized late arrivals carry a penalty. Absences from exams and the
late submission of assignments must be supported by a medical certificate (see the University policy in
this area).
Absences for any other serious reason must be justified in writing to the professor or to the academic
secretariats of the Faculty within five business days following the date of the exam or the assignment
deadline. The professor or the Faculty reserves the right to accept or refuse the reason put forward.
Justifications such as travel, jobs, or the misreading of the examination timetable are not
acceptable.
DEFERRALS:
In the case of illness documented with an official medical certificate, you may write a midterm test at a
later date. In such a situation, arrangements must be made with the TA to make up the missed test at the
earliest possible date. If the final exam is missed because of illness, there is an official deferral form that
must be completed. It is not acceptable to write either the midterm test or the final exam and then
produce a medical certificate after taking the test.
NOTE REGARDING INTEGRITY IN ESSAYS AND ASSIGNMENTS:
Academic fraud consists of dishonest and wrongful acts on exams, test or assignments, resulting in flawed
grades and assessments. The University does not tolerate academic fraud, and anyone found guilty of this
behavior is liable to severe penalties.
Here are some examples of academic fraud:
 Plagiarizing or cheating in any way
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Presenting falsified research data;
Submitting an assignment of which you are not the sole author
Presenting the same work from another course without written permission from the professors
concerned.
With the development of the Internet these past years, it has become much easier to detect plagiarism.
Indeed, given the powerful tools now at their disposal, your professors can, by typing a few simple words,
readily trace the exact source of a text on the Web.
For more information on fraud and how to avoid it, you can refer to the Faculty web page, which offers
tips to help you with your studies and the writing process for university-level projects at the following
address: http://www.socialsciences.uottawa.ca/eng/ugrad_tips.asp. You can also refer to the Faculty web
page for information on plagiarism in university assignments:
http://www.socialsciences.uottawa.ca/eng/ethics.asp
Persons who commit or try to commit academic fraud, or who are accomplices in fraud, will be penalized.
Here are some of the possible sanctions:
 a grade of F for the assignment or course in question
 the imposition of three to 30 more credits as a condition of graduation
 suspension or expulsion from their faculty.
To consult the regulation, see section 14.2 of the Academic Regulations
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Fall session (2015)
September 8 to December 9
Fall session courses
September 8 to December 8
Teaching and course evaluations
November 22 to December 3
Thanksgiving
October 12
Reading week. No classes in programs at the faculties of Arts, Law (Civil Law
section only), Engineering, Health Sciences, Science and Social Sciences and at
the Telfer School of Management. No reading week in the Faculty of
Education’s English Teacher Education program or in the Formation à
l’enseignement program (in French). Some exceptions apply at both the
undergraduate and graduate level. CO-OP work terms, clinical and non-clinical
placements are not affected.
October 25 to 31
Study break
December 3
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Holiday break: University closed.
December 22, 2015 at
5 p.m., to January 54,
2016 at 8:45 a.m.,
inclusive.
Last day to register without late registration fees
September 16
Last day to register with late registration fees
September 24
Last day to change student status (regular/auditor)
September 24
Last day to change course selection
September 24
Last day to withdraw from a course or an activity (including full-year courses) and receive a
financial credit, less administrative fees. Consult the Withdrawing from a course web page for
more information about refunds. Withdrawing from a course may affect whether you will meet
all your program requirements. Be sure to consider all changes very carefully before going
ahead. The date may differ for some faculties and programs, so please confirm date with your
academic unit.
September 30
Last day to withdraw from a course or an activity (including full-year courses), no financial
credit. Withdrawing from a course may affect whether you will meet all your program
requirements. Be sure to consider all changes very carefully before going ahead. Course
withdrawal is not possible after this date. If you simply stop attending a course and do not
withdraw, you will receive a failing grade.
November 20
Exam period: Exams are scheduled during the day and evening, on weekdays and on
weekends.
December 10 to 22
Official final grades for the Fall session posted online
January 20
Last day to submit a grade review for a final exam. For information about reviewing
grades and appeals, consult academic regulations.
February 3
Official academic standing posted online
January 29
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