Lecture 7: Psychopharmacology II

Which topics are covered in the lecture?

SSRIs, emotions and brain regions, depression and fibromyalgia, ascending and descending pathway, respiratory depression and opiates, tolerance, ketamine.

Which topics are discussed that are not discussed in the literature?

Some researchers think that the side effects (for example hallucinations) of ketamine are the reasons that antidepressants work. But ketamine can only be taken in hospitals and definitely not at home. This is because it is very dangerous and there has to be enough experts around you when you take this.  If these researchers are right, we cannot use ketamine anymore, because we now use it to know which effect does work and by that we will develop a new drug. These researchers think that the hallucinogenic effects  of ketamine are linked to LSD.

Ketamine gives total amnesia in kids, but not by adults. We don’t know yet why this is.

Which recent developments in the field are discussed?

There were no recent developments in the field discussed.

Which comments are made by the lecturer with regard to the exam?

It’s known that different brain regions are important for processing different emotions. Although, there are different ideas from a variety of researchers, articles and books. For the exam, you have to know only Ettingers (studybook) idea about this. You also have to know that this is not the only and right idea.

Which questions are dealt with that can be asked during the examination?

There were no questions dealt with that can be asked during the exam.