Learning Objectives
•Develop basic understanding of selected central nervous system (CNS) disorders
•Identify the classifications and actions of drugs used to treat psychiatric disorders including side effects and special considerations associated with CNS drug therapy
•Discuss the main neurotransmitters related to CNS medications and their physiologic effects
•Discuss the significance of the blood–brain barrier in treating conditions of the CNS
•Describe considerations and implications of using CNS medications across the life span
•Give examples of when, how, and to whom CNS drugs may be administered
The nervous system is a very complex organ system. Even though progress has continued at an amazing rate within the scientific disciplines of neuroscience, our understanding of the intricacies within this science are limited. The nervous system may be just too complex for us to completely understand, and you may notice evidence of this within some of the “Mechanism of Action” statements later in this chapter where exact understanding is unknown. The complexity of the nervous system and understanding of the brain can make treating and preventing diseases that affect this system complicated.[1]
- This work is a derivative of Anatomy and Physiology by OpenStax licensed under CC BY 4.0. Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/1-introduction ↵
