Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific Basis and Practical Applications

by Stephen M. Stahl, Nancy Muntner (Illustrator)

Overview

With this fully revised fourth edition, Dr Stahl returns to the essential roots of what it means to become a neurobiologically empowered psychopharmacologist, expertly guided in the selection and combination of treatments for individual patients in practice. Embracing the unifying themes of 'symptom endophenotypes', dimensions of psychopathology that cut across syndromes, and 'symptoms and circuits', every aspect of the text has been updated to the frontiers of current knowledge, with the clarity of explanation and illustration that only Dr Stahl can bring. Integrating much of the basic neuroscience into the clinical chapters, and with major additions in the areas of psychosis, antipsychotics, antidepressants, impulsivity, compulsivity and addiction, this is the single most readily readable source of information on disease and drug mechanisms. This remains the essential text for all students and professionals in mental health seeking to understand and utilize current therapeutics, and to anticipate the future for novel medications.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781139833462
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	04/11/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	104 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Stephen M. Stahl is Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego, USA and Honorary Visiting Senior Fellow in Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, UK. He has conducted various research projects awarded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the Veterans Administration and the pharmaceutical industry. Author of more than 350 articles and chapters, Dr Stahl is the author of the bestsellers Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology and The Prescriber's Guide.

Table of Contents

Preface to the fourth edition; CME information; 1. Chemical neurotransmission; 2. Transporters, receptors and enzymes as targets of psychopharmacological drug action; 3. Ion channels as targets of psychopharmacological drug action; 4. Psychosis and schizophrenia; 5. Antipsychotic agents; 6. Mood disorders; 7. Antidepressants; 8. Mood stabilizers; 9. Anxiety disorders and anxiolytics; 10. Chronic pain and its treatment; 11. Disorders of sleep and wakefulness and their treatment; 12. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and its treatment; 13. Dementia and its treatment; 14. Impulsivity, compulsivity and addiction; Suggested reading and selected references; Index.

Editorial Reviews

4 Stars! from Doody

The author of this magnificent work takes a pedagogical, highly understandable approach to the area of psychopharmacology—from the level of basic biochemistry and receptor action through practical clinical applications of all major classes of psychotropic compounds. This text is written with the ambitious goal of making the complicated field of psychopharmacology accessible, on both the theoretical and ""everyday"" levels, to the practicing clinician. Towards this goal the author succeeds admirably. The author seeks to reach the audience of prescribing mental health professionals with a medical background who seek a basic and clinical level understanding of the medications that they recommend to their patients. Numerous unique features contribute to the author's goal. First, the liberal use of highly schematic color diagrams in each chapter adds to understanding of such concepts as receptor action, timing of drug effects and clinical outcomes. These diagrams are structured in what initially appears to be an oversimplified, ""cartoon"" form. However, upon further examination it is apparent these illustrations are highly effective in elucidating highly complex material. As well, a pure pedagogical approach with questions and answers at the end allows readers to test themselves on the material presented to ensure maximal retention of key concepts. Finally, while not written at the highly advanced level of the ""bench"" researcher in psychopharmacology, as clearly explained by the author, this text nevertheless is the basis of further inquiry since the author includes a fairly complete bibliography for further reading. This book is a bedrock for basic understanding of the complexand fast moving field of psychopharmacology, and should be a part of every prescribing clinician's library. It is highly recommended and will be useful in many contexts.

Nishad J. Nadkarni

Reviewer: Nishad J. Nadkarni, MD (Rush University Medical Center)
Description: The author of this magnificent work takes a pedagogical, highly understandable approach to the area of psychopharmacology — from the level of basic biochemistry and receptor action through practical clinical applications of all major classes of psychotropic compounds.
Purpose: This text is written with the ambitious goal of making the complicated field of psychopharmacology accessible, on both the theoretical and "everyday" levels, to the practicing clinician. Towards this goal the author succeeds admirably.
Audience: The author seeks to reach the audience of prescribing mental health professionals with a medical background who seek a basic and clinical level understanding of the medications that they recommend to their patients.
Features: Numerous unique features contribute to the author's goal. First, the liberal use of highly schematic color diagrams in each chapter adds to understanding of such concepts as receptor action, timing of drug effects and clinical outcomes. These diagrams are structured in what initially appears to be an oversimplified, "cartoon" form. However, upon further examination it is apparent these illustrations are highly effective in elucidating highly complex material. As well, a pure pedagogical approach with questions and answers at the end allows readers to test themselves on the material presented to ensure maximal retention of key concepts. Finally, while not written at the highly advanced level of the "bench" researcher in psychopharmacology, as clearly explained by the author, this text nevertheless is the basis of further inquiry since the author includes a fairly complete bibliography for further reading.
Assessment: This book is a bedrock for basic understanding of the complex and fast moving field of psychopharmacology, and should be a part of every prescribing clinician's library. It is highly recommended and will be useful in many contexts.

Doody's Review Service

"And this fourth edition has surpassed the previous editions in its ability to brilliantly educate readers on the neuropsychiatric basis of and treatments for mental disorders. The graphics and icons bring the text to life and make it especially relatable to clinical practice. If I were to buy only one book to teach me the neuropsychiatric foundations and treatment of psychiatric disorders, this would be it." Bradley R Cutler, MD Edward Hospital and Health Services, Naperville Used with permission of Doody's Review Service

From the Publisher