ABSTRACT
Our knowledge of drug action in the CNS began through the astute observation of clinicians that drugs used for entirely different purposes had certain beneficial effects on mental illness. That stimulated the intensive research and development of the past 65 years, with the discovery and study of drugs known to alleviate anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, etc., including what is now known of their action (pharmacodynamics). Chapters 13-16 will look at drugs whose action we feel confident about. Chapters 17-20 will describe drugs which are effective, but whose action is largely speculation - theory, with some evidence for and against. The final chapter (Chapter 21) deals with what we know about Alzheimer's disease. Do not begin this section without careful study of Chapter 11 and revision of Chapters 6-9.
