A Rational Framework for the Development, Evaluation, and Use of Psychoactive Drugs
SAMUEL IRWIN PH.D.1
1 Professor of pharmacology in the department of psychiatry, University of Oregon Medical School, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Ore. 97201, and is also with the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Ore
The author attempts to construct a model for patient assessment and psychiatric drug therapy akin to that of somatic therapy. It is suggested that drug effects on major target functions of behavior can form a basis for their rational selection and use and attention is drawn to their actions of probable therapeutic significance. Rejected as relatively unsatisfactory is the present tendency to select drugs on the basis of their presumed effects on diagnostic entities.
