Neuroanatomy for Students of Behavioral Disorders

Ronald L. Green and Robyn L. Ostrander

Overview

A four color exploration of brain anatomy for psychiatric residents and practitioners.

Research proves that brain architecture is directly related to psychiatric disorders, but brain regions specifically affiliated with behavior are not adequately addressed in psychiatric training. Ronald Green and Robyn Ostrander do just that, examining a range of psychiatric conditions and the corresponding parts of the brain that are affected.

Contents

Introduction

1. Information Flow: Neuroal Circuits Related to Behavioral Disorders

2. Behavioral State-Control Neurotransmitters: Dopamine, Serotonin, Norepinephrine, Acetylcholine, and Histamine

3. The Thalamus

4. Anxiety-Disorder Prototypes: PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder

5. Obsessive—Compulsive Disorder

6. Schizophrenia

7. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

8. Addiction Disorders

9. Mood Disorders

Appendix: A Quick Guide Through Neuroanatomy Relevant to Behavioral Pathology

Classic Reference Resources

References

Index

Excerpt
From Neuroanatomy for Students of Behavioral Disorders:

The thalamic nuclei that are implicated in OCD are the ventral anterior, ventral lateral, and medial dorsal. The ventral anterior and ventral lateral nuclei occupy the anterior half of the thalamus, as depicted in Figure 6-14. The medial dorsal nucleus lies medial to the internal medullary lamina and spans the thalamus from anterior to posterior. Neurochemical abnormalities in the medial dorsal nucleus have been reported in children with OCD (Smith et al., 2003).

To reiterate, certain subregions of the following structures are implicated in OCD: cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus. And certain interconnections within and between these regions, along with the cerebellum, are thought to be involved in automated motivated goal-oriented behaviors driven by so-called procedural or implicit memory. Examples of such activities are piano playing by an experienced player or more prosaic behaviors such as hand washing. One can exert conscious control over these activities and render each individual subcompetent (e.g., the playing of a single note) as a voluntary exertion. The operations of the cortical, basal ganglia, and thalamic (and cerebellum) interconnections spare us the great labor called upon in voluntary effort. The talented piano player need only place the fingers on the keyboard, see the notes on the sheet, and the music unfolds smoothly, rapidly, and beautifully as if on its own. The music can, if memorized previously, unfold entirely from memory in the same fashion. Hand washing unfolds in the same fashion without requiring much thought.

About the Authors

Ronald Green, MD, is a professor of psychiatry at Dartmouth Medical School. He lives in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

Robyn Ostrander, MD, is a psychiatrist. She lives in Brattleboro, Vermont.

ISBN 13: 978-0-393-70398-6
ISBN 10: 0-393-70398-3
March 2009 / 304 pages / 182 color illus / paperback