In this Contemporary Pediatrics video interview, Joanne M. Howard, MSN, MA, RN, CPNP-PC, PMHS & Anne Craig, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC, of C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan, highlight their session titled "Pediatric Psychopharmacology: Understanding Receptor Targets to Identify Medications That May Work Best for Children and Teens," presented at the 2024 NAPNAP National Conference.

Their session explored psychopharmacologic agents used in the pediatric population, with a focus on their interactions with receptor targets in the brain and body.

"[We wanted to] take a deeper dive into the medication management for pediatric mental health disorders and empower our [colleagues] out there in the community to maybe be more comfortable or knowledgable about managing things like depression, anxiety, aggressive behaviors, or ADHD," said Howard.

"We gave an overview of what neurotransmitters are, and then focused on the neurotransmitters monoamines that are implicated in psychopathology or development of many psychiatric disorders," added Craig. "We wanted to approach it from what [a particular] medication is targeting, what receptors, and how does that translate into a clinical effect."

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Receptor targeting to identify medications for pediatric mental health concerns - Contemporary Pediatrics