Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific Basis and Practical Applications

by Stephen M. Stahl

Overview

Long established as the preeminent source in its field, the eagerly anticipated fifth edition of Dr Stahl's essential textbook of psychopharmacology is here! With its use of icons and figures that form Dr Stahl's unique 'visual language', the book is the single most readable source of information on disease and drug mechanisms for all students and mental health professionals seeking to understand and utilize current therapeutics, and to anticipate the future for novel medications. Every aspect of the book has been updated, with the clarity of explanation that only Dr Stahl can bring. The new edition includes over 500 new or refreshed figures, an intuitive color scheme, fourteen new uses for older drugs and eighteen brand new drugs, coverage of Parkinson's Disease Psychosis, behavioural symptoms of dementia, and mixed features in major depressive episodes, and expanded information on the medical uses of cannabis and hallucinogen assisted psychotherapy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108971638
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/29/2021
Edition description:	5th Revised ed.
Pages:	644
Sales rank:	31,314
Product dimensions:	7.44(w) x 9.69(h) x 1.14(d)

About the Author

Stephen M. Stahl, MD, PhD is Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at University of California, Riverside and at University of California, San Diego, Honorary Visiting Senior Fellow, University of Cambridge, UK, and Chairman of the Neuroscience Education Institute, Carlsbad.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Third Edition     ix
CME Information     xiii
Structure and Function of Neurons     1
Synaptic Neurotransmission and the Anatomically Addressed Nervous System     21
Signal Transduction and the Chemically Addressed Nervous System     51
Transporters and G Protein-Linked Receptors as Targets of Psychopharmacological Drug Action     91
Ion Channels and Enzymes as Targets of Psychopharmacological Drug Action     123
Psychiatric Genetics     177
Circuits in Psychopharmacology     195
From Circuits to Symptoms in Psychopharmacology     223
Psychosis and Schizophrenia     247
Antipsychotic Agents     327
Mood Disorders     453
Antidepressants     511
Mood Stabilizers     667
Anxiety Disorders and Anxiolytics     721
Pain and the Treatment of Fibromyalgia and Functional Somatic Syndromes     773
Disorders of Sleep and Wakefulness and Their Treatment     815
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Its Treatment     863
Dementia and Its Treatment     899
Disorders of Reward, Drug Abuse, and Their Treatment     943
Suggested Readings     1013
Index     1057

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