After purchase, your eBook will be available on your "My Downloads" page, accessed from your Member/Guest page under "Admin: My Account". Target Audience: This CME activity has been developed for MDs specializing in psychiatry. There are no prerequisites for this activity. Physicians in all specialties who are interested in psychopharmacology, as well as nurses, psychologists, and pharmacists, are welcome for advanced study. Overview: The successful treatment of bipolar disorders and schizophrenia depends largely on a proper diagnosis and on adherence to pharmacotherapy. This booklet will unravel the neurobiology underlying these two disorders and will explain the mechanisms of action of medications used to treat both disorders. Individual medications will be discussed as well as switching strategies. Learning Objectives: After completing this activity, participants should be better able to fulfill the following learning objectives: Describe the hypothetical neurobiology of bipolar disorders and the complex pharmacology of mood stabilizers used to treat them Recognize how different drugs affect the various disease states of bipolar disorders and identify mechanisms as well as therapeutic benefits and nuances of drugs commonly prescribed for bipolar disorder Develop an understanding of the best treatment practices and maintenance methods for optimizing individual patient outcome in bipolar disorder Describe the hypothetical neurobiology of schizophrenia and understand the complex pharmacology of antipsychotics Recognize how different drug properties affect the various symptoms of schizophrenia and that side effects are linked to the drug’s receptor profile Develop an understanding of the best treatment practices and switching methods in schizophrenia Accreditation and Credit Designation Statements: The Neuroscience Education Institute is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Neuroscience Education Institute designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Also available will be a certificate of participation for completing this activity. Nurses in most states may claim full credit for activities approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (for up to half of their recertification credit requirements). This activity is designated for 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Release Date: July 15, 2009 CME Credit Expiration Date: July 14, 2012 Media: Printed monograph Sponsor: This activity is sponsored by Neuroscience Education Institute. Support: This activity is supported by educational grants from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Lilly USA, LLC. For further information concerning Lilly grant funding visit, www.lillygrantoffice.com.