A Primer of Behavioral Pharmacology

A Primer ofBehavioral Pharmacology addresses many of the conceptual and experimental issues that are found in this rapidly growing area. The book is divided into seven sections with the last four focusing on classification of drugs, models of drug response, and analysis of models. The beginning chapters cover basic pharmacological procedures and the ways in which the effects of behavioral drugs can be measured. Rate dependency, cue functions, and different factors in tolerance are discussed at a level which the student should easily understand. Topics are presented clearly and concisely. A major attempt is made in A Primer of Behavioral Pharmacology to classify drugs, given the large diversity of pharmacologically induced behavioral effects. Carlton begins with a clinically derived classification, then moves to laboratory models, and finally ends with ways in which laboratory models can explain the physiological mechanisms that operate around drug action. He makes a comparison between the development of Mendeleeve's table and the development of a rational system of classification. This book focuses on behavioral analysis of drug action. Categories of drugs and pharmacological actions are not given. While this has some advantages in that more concepts are put forth, it may present some difficulties for the student. Throughout the book, no structure of any drug is given. If one wanted to see the chemical similarities among the phenothiazines, a different source would have to be consulted. In his attempt to omit lists of drug actions, Carlton ignores some basic structural pharmacology that is important for the novice to understand. The book is not without merit. The principles of behavior analysis relating to drug action are discussed in a lucid fashion. Laboratory models and the environmental factors in tolerance are presented especially well. This book is important for anyone interested in behavioral methods and techniques used in the analysis of pharmacological agents. For those desiring a thorough chemical classification of drugs, better texts can be found elsewhere.