PSYC 358
Psychosis and the Biological Bases of Severe Mental Illness Spring 2016
Division II
Cross-listed NSCI 358
This is not the current course catalog

This course takes an in-depth look at the theory and research on serious mental illnesses with psychotic features, such as schizophrenia. Specifically, it examines the biological and psychological processes that lead to psychotic experiences and the prediction, diagnosis and treatment of psychosis. We will begin by investigating the historical understanding and diagnosis of schizophrenia and related disorders as well as how recent research finding have altered our understanding of the pathophysiology of these disorders and the mechanisms that impact severe mental illness. We will then discuss the improvements in treatment, diagnosis and prevention these findings have prompted. This will be accomplished by evaluation and critical analysis of empirical research findings produced using clinical neuroscience methods including neuroimaging, statistical and molecular genetics, and drug therapy.