Current Developments in Psychopharmacology, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1981 Current Developments in Psychopharmacology Series, Vol. 6

The areas of experimental and clinical psychopharmacology have continued to grow in terms of the numbers of studies appearing in the literature as well as the activity generated by other disciplines that has influenced the output of behavioral pharmacology research. Psychoactive drugs have been considered for their comparative effects upon selected behaviors or for their effect upon diverse behaviors. Behavioral circum­ stances certainly influence not only the metabolism and action of psycho­ tropic drugs behaviorally, but also the disposition of these agents and/ or their metabolites in regions of the central nervous system. There can hardly be a psychopharmacology without a neuropharmacology, and the latter would seem to depend upon a neurochemistry. There would appear to be variables that exert potent influences upon the disposition and action of psychotropic drugs, that also relate quite directly to their effects upon behavior; these include drug interactions, nutritional status, environmental effects such as temperature, photic and tactile stimulation, and stress, and the basal status upon which such drug treatment is superimposed. In this volume of Current Developments in Psychopharmacology, which will be the last to appear in this format, we have sought to focus upon a series of current topical reviews that highlight representative areas of experimental and clinical research activity in psychopharmacology. In the first chapter, Dr. Lagerspetz reviews a frequently neglected aspect of psychopharmacological research-the actions of psychoactive agents upon the nervous system and behavior of non-mammalian species.

1 Comparative Psychopharmacology.- A. Introduction.- B. Spontaneous Motor Activity.- C. Sedation in the Frog: A Screening Test for Tymoleptics.- D. Web-Building in Spiders.- E. Aggressive Behavior.- F. Learning and Memory.- G. Perspectives for Comparative Psychopharmacology.- H. Summary.- I. References.- 2 Behavioral Effects of Opiates: A Pharmacogenetic Analysis.- A. Individual and Species Differences in Drug Reactivity.- B. Species Differences in the Reactivity to Opiates.- C. The Use of Inbred Strains in Pharmacogenetic Investigations.- D. A Pharmacogenetic Approach to Opiates.- E. Dopaminergic and Cholinergic Mechanisms in Relation to Strain Differences in Opiates Effect.- F. Opiates Administration: Environmental Factors.- G. Summary.- H. References.- 3 Anticonvulsant Drugs, Behavior, and Cognitive Abilities.- A. Introduction.- B. Drugs and Cognitive Behavior.- C. The Effects of Anticonvulsant Drugs on Behavior.- D. Mechanism of Interference with Cognitive Function and Behavior.- E. References.- 4 Drug-Induced Tardive Dyskinesia.- A. Introduction.- B. Prevalence of Tardive Dyskinesia.- C. Clinical Features and Localization.- D. Patient Characteristics.- E. Causal Psychotropic Treatment.- F. Differential Diagnosis.- G. Relationship Between Tardive Dyskinesia and Other Drug- Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms.- H. Relationship Between Tardive Dyskinesia, Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia, and Huntington’s Chorea.- I. Reversibility of Tardive Dyskinesia.- J. Treatments and Prophylaxis of Tardive Dyskinesia.- K. Conclusion.- L. References.- 5 Nicotine and Smoking.- A. Introduction.- B. Studies in Animals.- C. Studies in Humans.- D. References.- 6 The Antidepressant Effect of Lithium.- A. Introduction.- B. The Overall Antidepressant Effect of Lithium.- C. Methods.- D. Results.- E. Further Clinical Problems.- F. References.- 7 Chronopharmacological Studies of Neuroleptics.- A. Introduction.- B. Fluctuation of Psychotropic Drug Toxicity, According to the Difference in TODA.- C. Fluctuation in Effect of Psychotropic Drugs Due to Difference in TODA.- D. Circadian Fluctuation in Effects of Neuroleptics Induced by Difference in TODA.- E. Comments.- F. References.- Author Index.