Overview

This unit examines issues in neuropsychopharmacology. Students will study how drugs that act on nervous tissue alter behaviour and physiology. In particular, they will examine the effects of drugs and dietary supplements on brain chemistry and brain function in both healthy and diseased states.

Requisites

Prerequisites

NEU20006 Neurophysiology

OR
MBP20011 Clinical Practicum 1 - Neuro

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-August-2026
01-November-2026
Last self-enrolment date
16-August-2026
Census date
01-September-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
22-September-2026
Results released date
08-December-2026
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
02-August-2027
31-October-2027
Last self-enrolment date
15-August-2027
Census date
31-August-2027
Last withdraw without fail date
21-September-2027
Results released date
07-December-2027

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Integrate knowledge of the theoretical and empirical basis underpinning the effects of drugs and nutrition on brain function, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, in health and disease
  • Critically apply a broad and deep knowledge of the scientific method in pharmaco-imaging
  • Analyse and synthesise current evidence on the effects of drugs on brain function and behaviour
  • Evaluate and communicate neuropsychopharmacological concepts and evidence effectively through scientific written and oral presentations

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-Campus
Class		 1.00  12 weeks  12
Online
Lecture (asynchronous)		 2.00  12 weeks  24
Specified Activities 
Various		 2.00  12 weeks  24
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		 7.50  12 weeks  90
TOTAL     150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Case Studies Individual  30%  1,2,3,4
Assessment Individual  35%  1,2
In-Class Presentation Individual/Group 35%  1,4

Content

  • Basic principles of neuropsychopharmacology: routes of administration, pharmacokinetics, the blood-brain barrier and pharmacodynamics
  • CNS stimulants and depressants
  • Serotonin and mood and the hallucinogens
  • Antipsychotics and Antidepressants
  • Neuropsychopharmacology in Alzheimer’s disease
  • Recreational drugs
  • Anaesthetics and brain function
  • Diet and brain function
  • Dietary supplements and brain function
  • Neuroimaging and neuropsychopharmacology
  • Graduate Attribute 1 (Communication 1 - Verbal Communication)
  • Graduate Attribute 2 (Communication 2 - Communicating using different media)
  • Graduate Attribute 3 (Teamwork 1 - Collaboration and negotiation)
  • Graduate Attribute 4 (Teamwork 2 - Teamwork roles and processes)
  • Graduate Attribute 5 (Digital Literacies 1 - Information literacy)
  • Graduate Attribute 6 (Digital Literacies 2 - Technical literacy)

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.