The study of neuroscience aims to improve understanding of the nervous system, its development and function. Some students who choose to specialize in psychiatric disorder research qualify to become psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP). In the healthcare industry, PMHNPs play a critical role in providing psychotherapy to clients with mental disorders. Accordingly, PMHNPs should be competent in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic processes, performing physical examinations and screening medical history, as well as making an initial physical diagnosis. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Understanding the spectrum of action from agonist to antagonist is an area in which a PMHNP should demonstrate unmatched expertise. Agonists and antagonists are drugs that directly influence specific receptors to achieve specific therapeutic results (Melmed et al., 2018). An agonist is a drug or substance that binds to the receptor, where it produces a similar cellular effect that behaves in the same way as naturally occurring neurotransmitters while an antagonist is a type of drug that attaches to the receptors, even if it does not activate They. While agonists attach to the receptor site to generate a response, antagonists block the drug response. Therefore, as psychopharmacological agents, agonists and antagonists help clients with mental disorders achieve treatment goals. Examples of agonists include methadone, morphine, and opium while antagonists include drugs such as naloxone, prazosin, and felodipine. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), also known as seven-transmembrane receptors, are proteins found in the cell membrane, where they bind extracellular substances and transmit signals to a G protein. According to Zhao, Deng, Jiang & Qing ( 2016), this process constitutes a response to sight, smell and taste signals. Ion channel receptors act as signals that allow rapid and direct conversion from chemical neurotransmitter information to an electrical current within the nervous system (Li, Wong & Liu, 2014). The interaction between GPCRs and ion channel receptors helps to increase the computational aptitude of neuronal signaling cascades, as well as representing a unique target for therapeutic intervention in neuropsychiatric diseases. Epigenetics is a system that controls genes by promoting or repressing their expressions but does not alter the genetic coding within an organism. Epigenetic regulation of genes helps to support normal phenotypic activity within cells, as well as playing a role in the development of diseases such as cancer, as well as neurodegenerative disorders that include Alzheimer's disease (Stefanska & MacEwan, 2015). Several factors that influence epigenetics include physical activity, diet, obesity, alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, and psychological stress. Therefore, PMHNPs need to be aware of epigenetic dysregulation, which contributes to the development of various mental disorders. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Fundamental neuroscience plays a vital role in drug prescribing, as it helps understand how drugs react to the brain, as well as the behavioral consequences of taking psychiatric medications. A greater understanding of neuropsychology and neurological factors can help develop medications to treat and prevent mental health disorders (Sampson & Brazier, 2018). THE.