Leader: Associate Professor P Fitzgerald and Associate Professor S Sundram

Offered

Clayton First semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

The contribution of the neurosciences to psychiatry. Biological perspectives on psychiatry including genetics, neuroanatomy including brain dissection, neuropharmacology, neurochemistry, neuroendocrinology, brain imaging and recording and immunology. Some sessions are devoted to the clinical application of recent advances in biological psychiatry.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Define the major principles of knowledge in each of the branches of the neurosciences and to integrate this knowledge to improve our conception and treatment of the major psychiatric disorders;
2. Discuss how this knowledge is acquired and developed through research;
3. Critically evaluate this knowledge;
4. Define psychiatric disorders according to their underlying neurobiological basis;
5. Understand how this knowledge is acquired;
6. Critically appraise this knowledge.

Assessment

Written examination (100%)