Harvard Psychopharmacology 2024: A Master Class

Overview

Harvard Psychopharmacology 2024: A Master Class provides an in-depth, updated review of neurobiology and psychotropic drug treatments relevant to psychiatric practice. The course covers key areas including treatment approaches for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, PTSD, women’s mental health, sleep disorders, substance use disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and geriatric psychopharmacology. It integrates the latest clinical findings and neurobiological research to support evidence-based psychiatric care.

On-demand psychiatry education — accessible anytime, anywhere.

Format: Videos and PDFs

Agenda

This Master Class offers a comprehensive agenda covering neurobiology, clinical treatment updates, and emerging pharmacologic strategies presented by leading experts in psychiatry.

• Registration
• Welcome Remarks — Carl Salzman, MD; Matcheri Keshavan, MD; Roscoe Brady, MD
• Update on the Neurobiology for the Practicing Clinician: Understanding Brain Function and its Clinical Relevance — Matcheri Keshavan, MD
• Treatment-Resistant Depression: Update on New Antidepressants, Polypharmacy, Augmentation Strategies, Ketamine, Psychedelics, and ECT — Alan Schatzberg, MD
• Treatment of Bipolar Disorders; Neurobiology and Clinical Directions; Revival of Lithium — Roscoe Brady, MD
• Coffee Break
• Treatment for Schizophrenia: Prodrome First Episode, Relapse and New Treatment Possibilities — Matcheri Keshavan, MD
• Psychopharmacologic Approaches in Autism — Jean Frazier, MD
• Panel Discussion #1 — Roscoe Brady, MD; Matcheri Keshavan, MD; Alan Schatzberg, MD; Jean Frazier, MD
• Lunch
• Clinical Relevance of Brain Circuity for Psychiatric Treatment — Roscoe Brady, MD
• Clinical Relevance of Brain Inflammation — Paulo Lizano, MD, PhD
• Coffee Break
• Therapeutic Approaches to the Difficult Patient — Stephen Stahl, MD, PhD, DSc (Hon)
• Panel Discussion #2 — Roscoe Brady, MD; Paulo Lizano, MD, PhD; Stephen Stahl, MD, PhD, DSc (Hon)
• Treatment of Anxiety Spectrum Disorders, and PTSD, New Benzodiazepine Data — Carl Salzman, MD
• Neurobiology and Treatment of Sleep in Psychiatric Disorders — John Winkelman, MD; Tony Cunningham, PhD
• Coffee Break
• Update: Digital Phenotyping in Psychiatry and Psychopharmacology; Role of AI? — John Torous, MD, MBI
• Clinical Use for Psychedelics? Use for PTSD? — Ryan Henner, MD
• Panel Discussion #1 — Carl Salzman, MD; John Torous, MD, MBI; John Winkelman, MD; Ryan Henner, MD; Tony Cunningham, PhD
• Lunch
• Update: Effective Treatment of Substance Use Disorders — Kevin Hill, MD
• Update: The Psychopharmacology of the Reproductive Life Cycle: Premenstrual, Pregnancy, Lactation, and Menopause — Catherine Lager, MD, MA, MS; Elizabeth Greenwald, MD, MSc
• Coffee Break
• Update: Geriatrics Psychopharmacology. Treatment for Alzheimer’s? — Carl Salzman, MD
• Panel Discussion #2 — Carl Salzman, MD; Catherine Lager, MD, MA, MS; Elizabeth Greenwald, MD, MSc; Kevin Hill, MD
• Wrap-Up, Last Questions

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Evaluate the effects of neurotransmitters, neurocircuits, and genes on psychotropic drug treatment.
• Describe the pharmacologic treatment of schizophrenia with particular reference to the prodromal period and first episode.
• Outline the emerging theories and treatments of bipolar disorder, depression, treatment resistant depression, bipolar depression, stress, and anxiety disorders as well as autistic spectrum disorders.
• Identify the benefits and risks of ketamine and psychedelics, including use for PTSD.
• Discuss the role of psychotropic medications in women’s mental health with an emphasis on PMS, pregnancy, nursing, and the postpartum period.
• Explain the role of psychopharmacology in the treatment of substance use disorders with particular emphasis on alcohol, opiates, and cannabis.
• Give examples of the latest advances and problems associated with treatment approaches in the geriatric populations.
• Discuss the application of digital phenotype tools in the psychopharmacologic management of psychiatric disorders.

Speakers

• Carl Salzman, MD
• Matcheri Keshavan, MD
• Roscoe Brady, MD
• Alan Schatzberg, MD
• Jean Frazier, MD
• Paulo Lizano, MD, PhD
• Stephen Stahl, MD, PhD, DSc (Hon)
• John Winkelman, MD
• Tony Cunningham, PhD
• John Torous, MD, MBI
• Ryan Henner, MD
• Kevin Hill, MD
• Catherine Lager, MD, MA, MS
• Elizabeth Greenwald, MD, MSc

Target Audience

This Master Class is designed for pharmacists, nurse practitioners, primary care physicians, specialty physicians, psychologists, physician assistants, and nurses seeking to enhance their expertise in psychopharmacology and psychiatric clinical care.

Why This Topic Matters

Harvard Psychopharmacology 2024: A Master Class addresses critical advances in psychiatric pharmacology, offering clinicians updated knowledge on complex neurobiological mechanisms and their clinical applications. This is essential for psychiatry professionals aiming to enhance their treatment strategies with evidence-based approaches and emerging therapeutics.

The course content supports improved understanding and clinical decision-making in psychiatry, aligned with the high standards of MedHub Central. Its comprehensive coverage of topics such as treatment-resistant depression, neuroinflammation, and the psychopharmacology of reproductive and geriatric populations ensures relevance for a broad clinical audience.