title: Anatomic and molecular principles of psychopharmacology. A primer for psychiatrists.
abstract: Psychopharmacology uses chemicals to modulate human brain function. Three basic principles of neurotransmission may help to understand the current practice of clinical psychopharmacology. First, the anatomic organization of neurotransmitter systems determines their behavioral affiliation. Second, neurotransmitter receptors modulate the electrical properties (via ion channels) or the biochemical properties (via second-messenger systems) of neurons. Third, the intracellular integration of receptor-mediated responses leads to immediate or delayed effects on neuronal function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. heckers@psych.mgh.harvard.edu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heckers
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Konradi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter