The purpose of this course is to analyze and critique the diverse basic and clinical literature concerning women's health and psychopharmacology in order to appreciate the role of gender differences in therapeutics and to identify important areas for future research. This was done despite documentation that sex differences in the patterns of use, metabolism and effects of various drugs exist.
Epidemiological studies indicate that for psychoactive medications women are the predominant users.
Evidence suggests that existing medications may be over used, under used or not used safely. In other situations, current medications are not very effective and new medications are needed. The classes consist of a one hour lecture by a faculty member followed by a one hour class seminar. The seminars consist of a class presentation of an assigned recent paper by a student including critique and a whole class seminar discussion guided by pre-circulated questions. The assigned paper will be based on the week's preceding lecture.