Assignment: Introduction to Neuroanatomy and Adherence

Assignment: Introduction to Neuroanatomy and Adherence

Assignment: Introduction to Neuroanatomy and Adherence

Module 1: Introduction to Neuroanatomy and Adherence

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When building a house, contractors and architects rely on a blueprint to help determine what features and structures are needed to support the house and provide those features sought after by potential buyers. If a potential error occurs in the construction of a support beam, for example, it is likely that the house will sustain damage and, possibly, crumble.

In much the same way, the features and structures of your brain provide a blueprint that help to support your body and provide the mechanisms with which to sustain your well-being. Individuals who suffer from mental illness, according to the fundamental premise of psychiatric neuroscience, are a result of abnormal brain function. Yet, as advancements in neuroimaging and genetics emerge, a whole new understanding of how to address mental illness remains for the psychiatric nurse practitioner (PNP). Neuroimaging and genetic techniques help provide insights, such as a blueprint of the brain, for detailing how the brain’s structure and wiring is functioning.

By determining what functions and structures of the brain or central nervous system are implicated in psychopathologies observed PNPs are able to synthesize biological explanations into treatment protocols for sustained, positive patient outcomes. A solid foundation and understanding of the functions and structures of the central nervous system is the first pillar of solidifying your understanding of psychopharmacology.

What’s Happening This Module?

This course is composed of three separate modules covering 11 weeks of content. Each module consists of an overarching topic in which each week within the module includes specific subtopics for learning. Module 1, Introduction to Neuroanatomy and Adherence, is a 3-week module. During Week 1, you will review foundational aspects of neuroanatomy as they relate to psychopharmacology. You will examine your knowledge of these foundational aspects of neuroanatomy by completing a Short Answer Assessment. During Week 2, you will explore neurotransmitters and receptor theory as they apply to psychopharmacology. You will engage in a Discussion with your colleagues on foundational neuroscience. In Week 3, you will examine medication adherence and strategies to mitigate non-adherence as it applies to specific treatment plans for patients. You will then complete a Quiz to test your knowledge of the entire module.

What do I have to do?
When do I have to do it?
Review your Learning Resources.
Days 1–7, Weeks 1, 2, and 3
Assignment: Short Answer Assessment
Submit your Assignment by Day 7 of Week 1.
Discussion: Foundational Neuroscience
Post by Day 3 of Week 2 and respond to your colleagues by Day 6 of Week 2.
Quiz: Neurobiology and Medication Adherence Concepts
Complete Quiz by Day 7 of Week 3.
Go to the Weekly Content

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 1: Introduction to Neuroanatomy

The human brain is organized into the cerebral cortex, brainstem, subcortical structures, and the cerebellum. These anatomical structures are made of inter-connected elements that create distributed and highly inter-connected circuits. It is in these circuits where cognition, behavior, and affect are processed.

—Camprodon, J. A., & Roffman, J. L. (2016, p. 6)

By using a combination of psychotherapy and medication therapy, psychiatric nurse practitioners (PNP) are positioned to provide a very unique type of care to patients with psychiatric disorders. To be successful in this role, you must have a strong theoretical foundation in pathophysiology, psychopharmacology, and neuroscience. This foundation will help you assess, diagnose, and treat patients as you relate presenting symptoms to theoretical neuronal functioning.

This week, as you begin to study psychopharmacology, you will explore the basic functional unit of the nervous system, the neuron. You will review the structure of the neuron and you will examine the anatomy of the central nervous system and consider the functionality of the different structure and outward (phenotypic) expression of their activities. You will analyze these concepts as you complete your short answer assessment for this week.

Reference:
Camprodon, J. A., & Roffman, J. L. (2016). Psychiatric neuroscience: Incorporating pathophysiology into clinical case formulation. In T. A. Stern, M. Favo, T. E. Wilens, & J. F. Rosenbaum. (Eds.), Massachusetts General Hospital psychopharmacology and neurotherapeutics (pp. 1–19). Elsevier.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Describe the functions and structures of the central nervous system
Describe the different structures that make up the neuron
Explain the function of neurons in intracellular communication

Learning Resources

Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)

Camprodon, J. A., & Roffman, J. L. (2016). Psychiatric neuroscience: Incorporating pathophysiology into clinical case formulation. In T. A. Stern, M. Favo, T. E. Wilens, & J. F. Rosenbaum. (Eds.), Massachusetts General Hospital psychopharmacology and neurotherapeutics (pp. 1–19). Elsevier.

Required Media (click to expand/reduce)

Psychopharmacologic Approaches to Treatment of Psychopathology (3m)

Optional Resources (click to expand/reduce)

Pathopharmacology: Disorders of the Nervous System: Exploring the Human Brain

Dr. Norbert Myslinski reviews the structure and function of the human brain. Using human brains, he examines and illustrates the development of the brain and areas impacted by disorders associated with the brain. (15m)

Introduction to Advanced Pharmacology

In this media presentation, Dr. Terry Buttaro, associate professor of practice at Simmons School of Nursing and Health Sciences, discusses the importance of pharmacology for the advanced practice nurse. (6m)