Brain Mechanisms in Mental Retardation

Brain Mechanisms in Mental Retardation
Author: Nathaniel A. Buchwald
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 559
Release: 2013-10-22
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 1483281817

Series on Mental Retardation held in Oxnard, California, in January 1974. This book compiles research on neurobiological findings which might lead to an understanding of the basic processes underlying the phenomena of mental deficiency and related aspects of human development. The topics discussed include the timing of major ontogenetic events in the visual cortex of the rhesus monkey; neuronal sprouting after hippocampal lesions; synaptic and dendritic development and mental defect; and CNS maturation and behavioral development. The neuronal control of neurochemical processes in the basal ganglia; nigrostriatal projections and the "dopamine receptor; and effects of caudate nuclei removal in cats are also deliberated. This text likewise covers the effects of caudate nuclei removal versus frontal cortex lesions in kittens and role of biochemistry in research on mental retardation This publication is beneficial to medical practitioners and students concerned with mental retardation.

From Neurons to Neighborhoods

From Neurons to Neighborhoods
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 610
Release: 2000-11-13
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0309069882

How we raise young children is one of today's most highly personalized and sharply politicized issues, in part because each of us can claim some level of "expertise." The debate has intensified as discoveries about our development-in the womb and in the first months and years-have reached the popular media. How can we use our burgeoning knowledge to assure the well-being of all young children, for their own sake as well as for the sake of our nation? Drawing from new findings, this book presents important conclusions about nature-versus-nurture, the impact of being born into a working family, the effect of politics on programs for children, the costs and benefits of intervention, and other issues. The committee issues a series of challenges to decision makers regarding the quality of child care, issues of racial and ethnic diversity, the integration of children's cognitive and emotional development, and more. Authoritative yet accessible, From Neurons to Neighborhoods presents the evidence about "brain wiring" and how kids learn to speak, think, and regulate their behavior. It examines the effect of the climate-family, child care, community-within which the child grows.

Discovering the Brain

Discovering the Brain
Author: National Academy of Sciences
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 195
Release: 1992-01-01
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309045290

The brain ... There is no other part of the human anatomy that is so intriguing. How does it develop and function and why does it sometimes, tragically, degenerate? The answers are complex. In Discovering the Brain, science writer Sandra Ackerman cuts through the complexity to bring this vital topic to the public. The 1990s were declared the "Decade of the Brain" by former President Bush, and the neuroscience community responded with a host of new investigations and conferences. Discovering the Brain is based on the Institute of Medicine conference, Decade of the Brain: Frontiers in Neuroscience and Brain Research. Discovering the Brain is a "field guide" to the brainâ€"an easy-to-read discussion of the brain's physical structure and where functions such as language and music appreciation lie. Ackerman examines: How electrical and chemical signals are conveyed in the brain. The mechanisms by which we see, hear, think, and pay attentionâ€"and how a "gut feeling" actually originates in the brain. Learning and memory retention, including parallels to computer memory and what they might tell us about our own mental capacity. Development of the brain throughout the life span, with a look at the aging brain. Ackerman provides an enlightening chapter on the connection between the brain's physical condition and various mental disorders and notes what progress can realistically be made toward the prevention and treatment of stroke and other ailments. Finally, she explores the potential for major advances during the "Decade of the Brain," with a look at medical imaging techniquesâ€"what various technologies can and cannot tell usâ€"and how the public and private sectors can contribute to continued advances in neuroscience. This highly readable volume will provide the public and policymakersâ€"and many scientists as wellâ€"with a helpful guide to understanding the many discoveries that are sure to be announced throughout the "Decade of the Brain."

Neurobiology of Mental Illness

Neurobiology of Mental Illness
Author: Dennis S. Charney
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 1259
Release: 2013-07-04
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0199934959

Our understanding of the neurobiological basis of psychiatric disease has accelerated in the past five years. The fourth edition of Neurobiology of Mental Illness has been completely revamped given these advances and discoveries on the neurobiologic foundations of psychiatry. Like its predecessors the book begins with an overview of the basic science. The emerging technologies in Section 2 have been extensively redone to match the progress in the field including new chapters on the applications of stem cells, optogenetics, and image guided stimulation to our understanding and treatment of psychiatric disorders. Sections' 3 through 8 pertain to the major psychiatric syndromes-the psychoses, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, dementias, and disorders of childhood-onset. Each of these sections includes our knowledge of their etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment. The final section discusses special topic areas including the neurobiology of sleep, resilience, social attachment, aggression, personality disorders and eating disorders. In all, there are 32 new chapters in this volume including unique insights on DSM-5, the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) from NIMH, and a perspective on the continuing challenges of diagnosis given what we know of the brain and the mechanisms pertaining to mental illness. This book provides information from numerous levels of analysis including molecular biology and genetics, cellular physiology, neuroanatomy, neuropharmacology, epidemiology, and behavior. In doing so it translates information from the basic laboratory to the clinical laboratory and finally to clinical treatment. No other book distills the basic science and underpinnings of mental disorders and explains the clinical significance to the scope and breadth of this classic text. The result is an excellent and cutting-edge resource for psychiatric residents, psychiatric researchers and doctoral students in neurochemistry and the neurosciences.

Brain Injury and Mental Retardation

Brain Injury and Mental Retardation
Author: C. Thomas Gualtieri
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Total Pages: 536
Release: 2002
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9780781734738

This authoritative resource is ideal for those caring for patients wit h traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mental retardation (MR) syndromes. The text is structured in an easy to follow format: five chapters on b rain injury syndromes, five chapters on mental retardation syndromes, four chapters devoted to other neuropathic conditions that are common to both, and six chapters that feature the drugs and how to use them. The drug section is tailored to the psychiatric disorders relevant to these specific patient populations.

The Blackwell Handbook of Early Childhood Development

The Blackwell Handbook of Early Childhood Development
Author: Kathleen McCartney
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 953
Release: 2011-09-07
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1444357131

The Blackwell Handbook of Early Childhood Development presents a comprehensive summary of research into child development from age two to seven. Comprises 30 contributions from both established scholars and emerging leaders in the field The editors have a distinguished reputation in early childhood development Covers biological development, cognitive development, language development, and social, emotional and regulatory development Considers the applications of psychology to the care and education of young children, treating issues such as poverty, media, and the transition to school A valuable resource for students, scholars and practitioners dealing with young children

Mapping the Brain and Its Functions

Mapping the Brain and Its Functions
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 180
Release: 1991-02-01
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 0309044979

Significant advances in brain research have been made, but investigators who face the resulting explosion of data need new methods to integrate the pieces of the "brain puzzle." Based on the expertise of more than 100 neuroscientists and computer specialists, this new volume examines how computer technology can meet that need. Featuring outstanding color photography, the book presents an overview of the complexity of brain research, which covers the spectrum from human behavior to genetic mechanisms. Advances in vision, substance abuse, pain, and schizophrenia are highlighted. The committee explores the potential benefits of computer graphics, database systems, and communications networks in neuroscience and reviews the available technology. Recommendations center on a proposed Brain Mapping Initiative, with an agenda for implementation and a look at issues such as privacy and accessibility.

Cognitive Plasticity in Neurologic Disorders

Cognitive Plasticity in Neurologic Disorders
Author: Joseph I. Tracy
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 433
Release: 2014-12-02
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0199965242

This volume makes clear that the cognitive and behavioural symptoms of neurologic disorders and syndromes are dynamic and changing. Each chapter describes the neuroplastic processes at work in a particular condition, giving rise to these ongoing cognitive changes.