Experimental Psychopharmacology

Psychopharmacology may be defined as the study of the effects of drugs on behavior. As an established scientific discipline, this is a relatively new area of research. Despite its short history, however, psychopharmacology has achieved a considerable degree of sophistication in the variety of experi­ mental approaches that are currently employed. Consequently, the interpretation of data accumulated through the use of various experimental laboratory techniques has become increasingly difficult and complex. Numerous excelIent texts and review articles are available that serve to outline recent progress in psychopharmacology (particularly the Handbook of Psychopharmacology series, edited by L. L. Iversen, S. D. Iversen, and S. H. Synder). Volumes such as these serve to usefully review the available litera­ ture without attempting a critical appraisal of the utility and limitations of methods and the difficulties of interpreting empirical data. Such conceptual and methodological problems are now an issue of paramount importance in studying the behavioral effects of drugs. The present volume can be regarded as a "conceptual cookbook" that examines the utility and limitations of various experimental approaches commonly taken in psychopharmacology. This practically oriented text should prove particularly useful for pharmacologists and neurochemists who have no formal training in behavioral research and require an intro­ duction to the actuallaboratory practice of the field. In addition, the useful and informative treatment of current issues in psychopharmacology will undoubtedly appeal to the majority of active researchers. Psychopharmacology may be defined as the study of the effects of drugs on behavior. As an established scientific discipline, this is a relatively new area of research. Despite its short history, however, psychopharmacology has achieved a considerable degree of sophistication in the variety of experiƯ mental approaches that are currently employed. Consequently, the interpretation of data accumulated through the use of various experimental laboratory techniques has become increasingly difficult and complex. Numerous excelIent texts and review articles are available that serve to outline recent progress in psychopharmacology (particularly the Handbook of Psychopharmacology series, edited by L.L. Iversen, S.D. Iversen, and S.H. Synder). Volumes such as these serve to usefully review the available literaƯ ture without attempting a critical appraisal of the utility and limitations of methods and the difficulties of interpreting empirical data. Such conceptual and methodological problems are now an issue of paramount importance in studying the behavioral effects of drugs. The present volume can be regarded as a "conceptual cookbook" that examines the utility and limitations of various experimental approaches commonly taken in psychopharmacology. This practically oriented text should prove particularly useful for pharmacologists and neurochemists who have no formal training in behavioral research and require an introƯ duction to the actuallaboratory practice of the field. In addition, the useful and informative treatment of current issues in psychopharmacology will undoubtedly appeal to the majority of active researchers Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Experimental Psychopharmacology....Pages 1-25 Psychopharmacological Research on Aggressive Behavior....Pages 27-113 Psychopharmacology of Food and Water Intake....Pages 115-152 Effects of Drugs on Spontaneous Motor Activity....Pages 153-211 Effects of Drugs on Schedule-Controlled Behavior....Pages 213-261 Behavioral Analysis of Anxiolytic Drug Action....Pages 263-297 Effects of Drugs on Reward Processes....Pages 299-340 Aversive Stimulus Properties of Drugs....Pages 341-391 Measurement of Drug Effects on Stimulus Control....Pages 393-431 Drug Discrimination Learning....Pages 433-479 Back Matter....Pages 481-494