Author: Glossary

An amine containing only one amino group. An organic compound containing nitrogen in one amino group (NH2). Some of the neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. The family of “feel good” neurotransmitters present in the brain such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.  

A conventional antipsychotic medication (a dihydroindolone) used to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. The brand name moban was discontinued by the manufacturer in 2010, and no generics are currently available. An antipsychotic. Moban is the brand name.  

The type of biology concerned with the study of structures and processes at the cellular level and particularly of intracellular responses such as the role of a protein, an enzyme, and other chemicals in a metabolic pathway; how nucleic acid stores information affecting cellular structure and function; and how metabolites in one cell may affect…

An atypical stimulant (unrelated to the amphetamines) used to improve wakefulness in patients with excessive daytime sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea; narcolepsy; and circadian rhythm sleep disorder, shift work type. Marketed under the brand name provigil.  

Former brand name for the discontinued conventional antipsychotic drug molindone.  

A proposed disorder (listed in dsm-iv-tr appendix b, “criteria sets and axes provided for further study”) featuring symptoms of anxiety and depression that cause significant impairment or distress but do not meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder or a mood disorder.  

An atypical antidepressant medication believed to exert its effects through antagonism of central presynaptic alpha2-adrenergic receptors of both noradrenergic and serotonergic neurons. It has been characterized as a noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA). Marketed under the brand name remeron.  

Brand name for the antiparkinsonian drug pramipexole.  

A proposed disorder (listed in dsm-ivtr appendix b, “criteria sets and axes provided for further study”) characterized by one or more periods of depressive symptoms that are identical to major depressive episodes in duration but that involve fewer symptoms and less impairment. Contrast with recurrent brief depressive disorder.  

A personality questionnaire of 567 true or false statements that is frequently used to assess personality styles and types. It was developed at the University of Minnesota in 1940 and revised in the early 1990s; hence, now it is known as the MMPI-2. Its primary use is to understand the psychiatric symptoms and personality characteristics…