Brain Science

Lists the neurologic processes causing pain and suffering and the principles of pain assessment. Discusses treatment modalities for primary and secondary headaches, including migraine and rare cephalagias. Lists the “red flags” of medication abuse and approaches to reduce opioid addiction. Describes the differential diagnosis of dental vs. cervical and cervicogenic pain and the appropriate intervention for both. Lists steps involved in the diagnosis and management of spinal pain, including physical and occupation therapy. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Describes for this course, the implications for nursing, dentistry, mental health, and other health professions.

Lists the neurologic processes causing pain and suffering and the principles of pain assessment. Discusses treatment modalities for primary and secondary headaches, including migraine and rare cephalagias. Lists the “red flags” of medication abuse and approaches to reduce opioid addiction. Describes the differential diagnosis of dental vs. cervical and cervicogenic pain and the appropriate intervention for both. Lists steps involved in the diagnosis and management of spinal pain, including physical and occupation therapy. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Describes for this course, the implications for nursing, dentistry, mental health, and other health professions.

This seminar will review the basic function of neurons and drug actions, followed by an explanation of neurotransmitters and their function in the brain. General prescribing strategies will be presented, as well as common psychotropic medication side-effects and medical/behavioral management of these effects. Major psychological disorders will be presented along with the specific class of psychotropic medication indicate for a diagnostic category. These categories include: psychotic/schizophrenic (neuroleptics), anxiety disorders (rescue anxiolytics), depression (antidepressants), bipolar disorders (mood stabilizers, anti-seizure medications, and second generation anti-psychotics), Alzheimer’s disease (NMDA antagonists & AChE inhibitors), attention deficit disorder & hypersomnolence (stimulants), insomnia (hypnotics), addiction, and special populations (children & the elderly). In addition to psychotropic medication treatment of mental disorders, the necessity for psychotherapy will be emphasized for each mental health disorder in terms of increased treatment efficacy, long-term outcome, and maintenance of treatment gains. The most current empirical evidence which supports the seminar material will be incorporated into CE program to assure participants become cognizant of the treatment-of-choice for specific psychological disorders

This seminar will review the basic function of neurons and drug actions, followed by an explanation of neurotransmitters and their function in the brain. General prescribing strategies will be presented, as well as common psychotropic medication side-effects and medical/behavioral management of these effects. Major psychological disorders will be presented along with the specific class of psychotropic medication indicate for a diagnostic category. These categories include: psychotic/schizophrenic (neuroleptics), anxiety disorders (rescue anxiolytics), depression (antidepressants), bipolar disorders (mood stabilizers, anti-seizure medications, and second generation anti-psychotics), Alzheimer’s disease (NMDA antagonists & AChE inhibitors), attention deficit disorder & hypersomnolence (stimulants), insomnia (hypnotics), addiction, and special populations (children & the elderly). In addition to psychotropic medication treatment of mental disorders, the necessity for psychotherapy will be emphasized for each mental health disorder in terms of increased treatment efficacy, long-term outcome, and maintenance of treatment gains. The most current empirical evidence which supports the seminar material will be incorporated into CE program to assure participants become cognizant of the treatment-of-choice for specific psychological disorders

This seminar will review the basic function of neurons and drug actions, followed by an explanation of neurotransmitters and their function in the brain. General prescribing strategies will be presented, as well as common psychotropic medication side-effects and medical/behavioral management of these effects. Major psychological disorders will be presented along with the specific class of psychotropic medication indicate for a diagnostic category. These categories include: psychotic/schizophrenic (neuroleptics), anxiety disorders (rescue anxiolytics), depression (antidepressants), bipolar disorders (mood stabilizers, anti-seizure medications, and second generation anti-psychotics), Alzheimer’s disease (NMDA antagonists & AChE inhibitors), attention deficit disorder & hypersomnolence (stimulants), insomnia (hypnotics), addiction, and special populations (children & the elderly). In addition to psychotropic medication treatment of mental disorders, the necessity for psychotherapy will be emphasized for each mental health disorder in terms of increased treatment efficacy, long-term outcome, and maintenance of treatment gains. The most current empirical evidence which supports the seminar material will be incorporated into CE program to assure participants become cognizant of the treatment-of-choice for specific psychological disorders

This seminar will review the basic function of neurons and drug actions, followed by an explanation of neurotransmitters and their function in the brain. General prescribing strategies will be presented, as well as common psychotropic medication side-effects and medical/behavioral management of these effects. Major psychological disorders will be presented along with the specific class of psychotropic medication indicate for a diagnostic category. These categories include: psychotic/schizophrenic (neuroleptics), anxiety disorders (rescue anxiolytics), depression (antidepressants), bipolar disorders (mood stabilizers, anti-seizure medications, and second generation anti-psychotics), Alzheimer’s disease (NMDA antagonists & AChE inhibitors), attention deficit disorder & hypersomnolence (stimulants), insomnia (hypnotics), addiction, and special populations (children & the elderly). In addition to psychotropic medication treatment of mental disorders, the necessity for psychotherapy will be emphasized for each mental health disorder in terms of increased treatment efficacy, long-term outcome, and maintenance of treatment gains. The most current empirical evidence which supports the seminar material will be incorporated into CE program to assure participants become cognizant of the treatment-of-choice for specific psychological disorders

Describes the effects of ADHD on attention, emotional control, impulse control, and executive functions. Describes the clinical presentations of ADHD and current diagnostic criteria. Discusses the genetic, developmental, neurologic and environmental causes of ADHD. Describes the development, symptoms, and impact of ADHD as they relate to children, adolescents, and adults. identify effective ADHD treatments focused on behavior management, diet, exercise, and sleep. Discusses the stimulant and non-stimulant medications for ADHD and their effectiveness. Discusses how the recent empirical research in this course can be translated to clinical practices to improve patient care and outcome. Describes, for this course, the implications for dentistry, mental health, pharmacy, nursing, occupational, physical therapy and other healthcare professions.

Describes the effects of ADHD on attention, emotional control, impulse control, and executive functions. Describes the clinical presentations of ADHD and current diagnostic criteria. Discusses the genetic, developmental, neurologic and environmental causes of ADHD. Describes the development, symptoms, and impact of ADHD as they relate to children, adolescents, and adults. identify effective ADHD treatments focused on behavior management, diet, exercise, and sleep. Discusses the stimulant and non-stimulant medications for ADHD and their effectiveness. Discusses how the recent empirical research in this course can be translated to clinical practices to improve patient care and outcome. Describes, for this course, the implications for dentistry, mental health, pharmacy, nursing, occupational, physical therapy and other healthcare professions.

Explains how changes in brain chemistry and structure occur in depression and bipolar disorder. Determines how chronic stress becomes a pathway for the development of major depressive disorder. Describes the new DSM-V criteria for the diagnosis of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Outlines suicide risk factors and suicide prevention strategies, including the risk for suicide in dentists. Lists the differences in symptoms and treatment of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Explains the differences between Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, cyclothymia, and related subtypes. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Describes, for this course, the implications for dentistry, mental health, nursing, and other healthcare professions.

Explains how changes in brain chemistry and structure occur in depression and bipolar disorder. Determines how chronic stress becomes a pathway for the development of major depressive disorder. Describes the new DSM-V criteria for the diagnosis of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Outlines suicide risk factors and suicide prevention strategies, including the risk for suicide in dentists. Lists the differences in symptoms and treatment of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Explains the differences between Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, cyclothymia, and related subtypes. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Describes, for this course, the implications for dentistry, mental health, nursing, and other healthcare professions.

Lists the psychedelic and hallucinogenic drugs commonly encountered in current clinical settings. Discusses the effects of psychedelic drugs and hallucinogens on perception and judgment. Describes the clinical hallmarks of hallucinogen use such as pupillary changes, sweating, palpitations, and ataxia. Lists the short and long term effects of hallucinogenic drugs, including flashbacks and persisting perception disorder. Describes the major clinical findings in patients using Psilocybin, Mescaline, and DMT. Discusses the clinical importance of recognizing psychedelic drug use in patients seen by professionals in mental health, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, occupational, and physical therapy.

Lists the psychedelic and hallucinogenic drugs commonly encountered in current clinical settings. Discusses the effects of psychedelic drugs and hallucinogens on perception and judgment. Describes the clinical hallmarks of hallucinogen use such as pupillary changes, sweating, palpitations, and ataxia. Lists the short and long term effects of hallucinogenic drugs, including flashbacks and persisting perception disorder. Describes the major clinical findings in patients using Psilocybin, Mescaline, and DMT. Discusses the clinical importance of recognizing psychedelic drug use in patients seen by professionals in mental health, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, occupational, and physical therapy.

Lists the brain structures that are most vulnerable to traumatic injury. Outlines the major mechanisms of action causing brain damage after TBI. Describes the major risk factors for TBI and key preventive strategies. Outlines the assessment and management strategies for athletes who sustain concussions. Lists the main etiology, symptoms, and stages of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Discusses the common clinical problems seen in patients with TBI, form ICU care to outpatient rehabilitation. Discusses how the information from this course can be utilized by nurses, mental health professionals, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, and other health professionals to improve patient care outcomes.

Lists the brain structures that are most vulnerable to traumatic injury. Outlines the major mechanisms of action causing brain damage after TBI. Describes the major risk factors for TBI and key preventive strategies. Outlines the assessment and management strategies for athletes who sustain concussions. Lists the main etiology, symptoms, and stages of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Discusses the common clinical problems seen in patients with TBI, form ICU care to outpatient rehabilitation. Discusses how the information from this course can be utilized by nurses, mental health professionals, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, and other health professionals to improve patient care outcomes.

Describes the history and development of the concept of autism as a spectrum condition. Identifies the current DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder, several co-occurring disorders, and other similar neurodevelopmental disorders like Rett Syndrome and Fragile X. Discusses the difference between considering autism to be (a) a neurodivergent development of normal brain functions and (2) a mental disorder. Describes the remarkable heterogeneity of strengths and deficits of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including major challenges for support and treatment. Identifies patterns of structural and functional changes in the brain in individuals with autism. Discusses the variety of evidence-based behavioral and medical treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Describes how the information from this course can be utilized across health care disciplines, including dentistry, mental health, pharmacy, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, dietetics, and other healthcare professions to improve patient care outcomes.

Describes the history and development of the concept of autism as a spectrum condition. Identifies the current DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder, several co-occurring disorders, and other similar neurodevelopmental disorders like Rett Syndrome and Fragile X. Discusses the difference between considering autism to be (a) a neurodivergent development of normal brain functions and (2) a mental disorder. Describes the remarkable heterogeneity of strengths and deficits of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including major challenges for support and treatment. Identifies patterns of structural and functional changes in the brain in individuals with autism. Discusses the variety of evidence-based behavioral and medical treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Describes how the information from this course can be utilized across health care disciplines, including dentistry, mental health, pharmacy, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, dietetics, and other healthcare professions to improve patient care outcomes.