Neurotransmitters and Drugs

An understanding of the manner in which therapeutically used drugs modify the nervous system requires knowledge of the functions, distribution and control of neurotransmitters. This well-established textbook provides a concise and systematic introduction to the main neurotransmitter substances in the body, their association with clinical states, and the interaction of therapeutically used drugs within these systems. Each chapter is devoted to a specific neurotransmitter substance, and examines their synthesis, storage, release, receptor interaction and inactivating mechanisms, together with important drugs known to interact selectively with these various mechanisms. The treatment of relevant disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia, as well as side effects are discussed. This third edition has been rewritten to reflect recent advances in the field and to incorporate up-to-date references. In particular new material on the structure and function of receptors and on amino acids has been incorporated.Nevertheless, the book retains its compact and didactic style and, in covering all pharmacological aspects of neurotransmission in both the peripheral and central nervous systems, should continue to provide students of medicine, pharmacology, pharmacy and postgraduate psychiatry with a reference source. This book should be of interest to undergraduate students of the neurosciences, pharmacology and pharmacy and postgraduate workers in psychiatry.