Neuroscience 0081: Section 12658
Drugs and Behavior – Fall 2010
Lecture: MWF 1-1:50pm CLAPP – L9 Recitation: W 10-10:50pm A221 Langley
Instructor:
Dr. Deanne M Buffalari
deanne@pitt.edu
Office Hours: By appointment only
Mailbox: A210 Langley Hall
Office Phone: 412-624-8384
cohenad@upmc.edu
Dr. Ann D. Cohen
Office Hours: By appointment only
Mailbox: 1406 Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic
Office Phone: 412-246-6251
TAs:
Emails:
Caitlin Kirkwood
cmk43@pitt.edu
Yijuan Du
yid8@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: 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
Aug 30
TOPIC
Outline/Syllabus
READING
n/a
1: What Drugs and What Behaviors?
Sep 1
2: Drug Actions in the Body: ADME
p. 1-2
Sep 3
3: Drug Actions in the Body: Dose Response
p. 3-6
Curves
Sep 6
Sep 8
NO CLASS (Labor Day)
4: Neuroanatomy, Cells of Nervous System
p. 3-6
p. 6-23
REVIEW
Sep 10
5: Neural communication: Resting Potential
p. 57-60, 72-80
Sep 13
6: Neural communication: Action Potentials
p. 60-62
Sep 15
EXAM I
p. 62-68
Sep 17
7: Synaptic Transmission
Sep 20
8: Neurotransmitters
p. 68-72
Sep 22
9: Neurobiology of Reinforcement and Tolerance
n/a
REVIEW
Sep 24
10: Neurobiology of Dependence and Withdrawal
p. 42-44, 48-52
Sep 27
11: Depressants: Alcohol
p. 45-48
Sep 29
12: Depressants: Benzodiazepines/Barbiturates
p. 128-159
REVIEW
Oct 1
EXAM II
p. 161-177
Oct 4
13: Stimulants: Cocaine
p. 179-197
Oct 6
14: Stimulants: Amphetamine, Methamphetamine
n/a
Oct 8
15: Stimultants: Caffeine
p. 241-259
Oct 11
NO CLASS – Fall Break
p. 241-259
Oct 13
16: Stimulants: Nicotine
p. 241-259
REVIEW
Oct 15
17: Marijuana
p. 220-239
Oct 18
18: Marijuana
p. 198-218
Oct 20
19: Narcotics: Opiates and Pain
p. 313-335
REVIEW
Oct 22
20: Narcotics: Opiates and Pain
p. 313-335
Oct 25
EXAM III
p. 261-281
Oct 27
21: Hallucinogens: Serotonergic
p. 261-281
Oct 29
22: Hallucinogens: Ecstasy, NMDA Antagonists
n/a
Nov 1
23: What Is Addiction?
p. 336-344
Nov 3
What Is Addiction? In Class Discussion
p. 344-347
REVIEW
Nov 5
24: Studying Drugs and Behavior in Animals
p. 348-354
Nov 8
25: Studying Drugs and Behavior in Humans
p. 91-95
Nov 10
26: Treatment of Addiction
n/a
REVIEW
Nov 12
27: Treatment of Addiction
n/a
Nov 15
EXAM IV
n/a
Nov 17
Affective Disorders: Schizophrenia
n/a
Nov 19
Affective Disorders: Schizophrenia
n/a
Nov 22
Affective Disorders: ADHD
n/a
Nov 24
NO CLASS – Thanksgiving Break
n/a
Nov 26
NO CLASS – Thanksgiving Break
n/a
Nov 29
Neurodegenerative Disease: Parkinson’s Disease
p. 283-295
Dec 1
Neurodegenerative Disease: Parkinson’s Disease
p. 283-295
Dec 3
Neurodegenerative Disease: Alzheimer’s
n/a
REVIEW
Dec 5
Affective Disorders: Depression
n/a
Dec 8
Affective Disorders: Anxiety
n/a
Dec 10
Wrap-up
n/a
REVIEW
TBA
Exam V – Final (NOT CUMULATIVE, CANNOT
BE DROPPED)