This book explores the underlying biology associated with the pathology of mental health disorders and the related nervous system. Fully revised for this third edition, each chapter has been updated to include the latest research, ideas and concepts in each field, and includes a new chapter on sleep.
Integrating up-to-date pharmacological and genetic knowledge with an understanding of environmental factors that impact on human biology, The Biological Basis of Mental Health covers topics including brain development, neural communication, neurotransmitters and receptors, hormones and behaviour, genetic disorders, pharmacology, drug abuse, anxiety, schizophrenia, depression, epilepsy, subcortical degenerative diseases of the brain, dementia, developmental disorders, and sleep.
Accessible and engaging, this is an essential text for mental health students, practitioners and educators.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to the Brain 2. Brain Development 3. Neural Communication 4. Neurotransmitters and receptors 5. Hormones and Behaviour 6. Genetic Disorders Affecting Mental Health 7. Pharmacology 8. Drug Abuse 9. Stress, Emotions, Anxiety and Fear 10. Schizophrenia 11. Affective Disorders 12. Epilepsy 13. Subcortical Degenerative Diseases of the Brain 14. The Ageing Brain and Dementia 15. Learning, Behavioural and Developmental Disorders 16. Sleep
William T. Blows is a former Lecturer in the School of Health Sciences at City University London. His research centres on the biology of the brain, particularly in relation to mental health disorders.