Psychiatry (PSYT)

FYS: Mental Illness and the Brain.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

This course will introduce the student to the fundamentals of neuroscience, and then use these principles to illustrate recent advances made on the biological causes of, and treatments for, mental disorders with a strong biological component: schizophrenia, depression, mania, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and alcohol and drug abuse.

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Issues in Drug Dependence.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

The phenomenology and epidemiology of the use and abuse of alcohol, nicotine, opiates, stimulants, sedatives and psychotomimetic agents are discussed in relation to current theoretical and experimental issues. The perspective is multidisciplinary and the intention is to develop an understanding of the nature of the issues surrounding drug dependence.

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Research Project in Psychiatry.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Individually supervised research projects in either fundamental or clinical psychiatry, with a final written report.

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Neurochemistry.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Covers biochemical mechanisms underlying central nervous system function. Introduces basic neuroanatomy, CNS cell types and morphology, neuronal excitability, chemically mediated transmission, glial function. Biochemistry of specific neurotransmitters, endocrine effects on brain, brain energy metabolism and cerebral ischemia (stroke). With examples, where relevant, of biochemical processes disrupted in human CNS disease.

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Advances: Neurobiology of Mental Disorders.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Current theories on the neurobiological basis of most well known mental disorders (e.g. schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, dementia). Methods and strategies in research on genetic, physiological and biochemical factors in mental illness will be discussed. Discussion will also focus on the rationale for present treatment approaches and on promising new approaches.

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Brain Evolution and Psychiatry.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

The course will focus on the transcendental importance of evolution of nervous systems for normal and pathological behaviour. Studies of allomeric brain growth and recent evolutionary theories of brain organization as they relate to normal and abnormal behaviour will be emphasized.

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Mental Health Services and Policy.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Analysis of the mental health system and its best practices.

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Issues In Forensic Mental Health.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

The course will review current forensic mental health issues at the various stages the criminal justice process, clinical and behavioural specificities and vulnerabilities of special populations of offenders. It will also review risk factors for aggressive behaviour and criminality, assessment methods as well as current debates in the field of forensic mental health.

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Advanced Studies in Addiction.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Critical assessment of research tools, reported data, and theoretical perspectives on drug addiction, with an emphasis on multi-factorial and inter-disciplinary approaches.

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