This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.

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Calendar

SES # TOPICS
1

Introduction to the brain:

Synapses, action potentials, and the neurotransmitters glutamate, GABA, dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine
2

The autonomic nervous system:

The sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions

Vasoconstrictors and vasodilators, sexual function, nasal decongestants, nitroglycerine
3

The action potential:

Alcohol, epilepsy, anticonvulsants, shock therapies (insulin, metrazol, and electroconvulsive therapy), and local anesthetics

Alcohol antagonists
4

Big molecules:

Key concepts: G-protein coupled receptors, transport proteins, and metabolic enzymes

Illustrated with examples: antidepressant mechanisms, nerve gas
5

Pharmacokinetics:

The absorption, distribution within the body, metabolism, and excretion of drugs

Topics include: the blood-brain barrier, why crack is so addictive, drug tests, imaging drugs and neurotransmitters within the brain
6

Emotions:

Anxiety, depression, bipolar, and related psychiatric diseases

All about benzodiazepines (partial and selective agonists, inverse agonists, dependence and withdrawal, parallels with barbiturates)
7 Addiction
8

Psychosis:

Schizophrenia and antipsychotics

Psychotomimetics (drugs that make you psychotic):

Psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, mescaline), stimulants (amphetamines and cocaine), anticholinergics (scopolamine, Benadryl, herbs), NMDA antagonists (PCP, ketamine, cough syrup), and related drugs (MDMA, alphabet soup drugs, ayahuasca)
9

Diseases:

Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ADHD, Tourette's, tardive dyskinesia
10

Pain:

General anesthetics: inhalants, drugs that paralyze, and drugs that erase memory
11

Sleep:

Sleep architecture, narcolepsy, sleepwalking (and other parasomnias), cataplexy

Related drugs: GHB, modafinil, melatonin, benzodiazepines
12 Fun surprise