Brian E. Leonard 
Fundamentals of Psychopharmacology, 3d Edition 

Treatment with drugs is fundamental to modern therapy of
psychiatric disorders. The number of disorders responsive to drug
treatment is increasing, reflecting the extensive synthesis of
novel compounds and the greater understanding of the aetiology of
the disorders.

This third edition provides new and updated material, including
an additional chapter on clinical trials and their importance in
assessing the efficacy and safety of psychotropic drugs. As
molecular biology and imaging techniques are of increasing
importance to basic and clinical neuroscience, these areas have
also been extended to illustrate their relevance to our
understanding of psychopharmacology.

This book is essential reading for undergraduates in
pharmacology and the neurosciences, postgraduate
neuropharmacologists, psychiatrists in training and in practice and
medical researchers.

Reviews of the Second Edition

‘…this text is eminently readable, well researched, and
probably the best of its kind.

The book is well worth buying and anyone who claims to know
anything about psychopharmacology will be expected to have a
heavily annotated copy.’ Irish Journal of Psychological
Medicine

‘…[this is] a very good book, especially suited to those
interested in psychopharmacologic research and psychiatric
residency in training.’ Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy

Table of Content

Preface to Third Edition.

Preface to Second Edition.

Preface to First Edition.

Introduction.

1. Functional Neuroanatomy of the Brain.

2. Basic Aspects of Neurotransmitter Function.

3. Pharmacokinetic Aspects of Psychopharmacology.

4. Clinical Trials and Their Importance in Assessing the
Efficacy and Safety of Psychotropic Drugs.

5. Molecular Genetics and Psychopharmacology.

6. Psychotropic Drugs that Modify the Serotonergic Systems.

7. Drug Treatment of Depression.

8. Drug Treatment of Mania.

9. Anxiolytics and the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders.

10. Drug Treatment of Insomnia.

11. Drug Treatment of Schizophrenia and the Psychoses.

12. Drug Treatment of the Epilepsies.

13. Drug Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease.

14. Alzheimer’s Disease and Stroke: Possible Biochemical Causes
and Treatment Strategies.

15. Psychopharmacology of Drugs of Abuse.

16. Paediatric Psychopharmacology.

17. Geriatric Psychopharmacology.

18. The Inter-relationship Between Psychopharmacology and
Psychoneuroimmunology.

19. Endocoids and Their Importance in Psychopharmacology.

Appendix 1: Some Important Psychotropic Drug Interactions.

Appendix 2: Glossary of Some Common Terms Used in
Psychopharmacology.

Appendix 3: Generic and Proprietary Names of Some Common
Psychotropic Drugs.

Appendix 4: Key References for Further Reading.

Index.

About the author

Brian E. Leonard is the President Elect of the Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologium (CINP) and currently visiting professor in the Brain and Behaviour Research Institute of the University of Maastricht, The Netherlands.