Research Catalog

Title

Molecules and mental illness / Samuel H. Barondes.

Author

Barondes, Samuel H., 1933-

Publication

New York : Scientific American Library, [1993], ©1993.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

vi, 215 pages : illustrations (some color); 25 cm.

Summary

Mental illness overwhelms its millions of victims with a variety of disabling symptoms, including extreme fearfulness, depression, and inability to distinguish the imagined from the real. In the late nineteenth century many psychiatrists, including the young Sigmund Freud, were convinced these disorders were biological in origin. But when Freud concluded that the knowledge and methods of that time were too limited to attack the complex problems of mental illness, he turned his attention to exploring its psychological aspects, setting a course that psychiatry would follow for many decades. Today, supported by the huge growth of molecular, genetic, and cellular research, the biological approach to psychiatry is making tremendous strides. New tools for identifying the genetic causes of various psychiatric disorders have been developed, and the effects of drugs on mental processes can now be more accurately monitored. As a result, we are poised to achieve significant new levels of success in alleviating the suffering of the mentally ill. In this wide-ranging and timely volume, Samuel Barondes describes the crucial role biological research is playing in modern psychiatry. A leading biologist and psychiatrist, Dr. Barondes explains the essential principles of human genetics, molecular biology, neuroscience, and psychopharmacology that are helping scientists and practitioners understand the biological roots of mental illness. He then describes ongoing advances in biological psychiatry, including the most recent pharmacological research into treatments for serious mood disturbances, extreme levels of anxiety, and schizophrenia. Biologically oriented psychiatrists know that we are a long way from a complete understanding of serious mental disorders, and that drug treatments now being used are far from perfect. But as this enlightening volume demonstrates, there is much cause for hope for the victims of these grave disorders and their families.

Series Statement

Scientific American Library series ; no. 44

Uniform Title

Scientific American Library series ; no. 44.

Subjects

• Biological Psychiatry
• Biologia geral
• Physiologische Psychiatrie
• Biological psychiatry
• Mental disorders > Molecular biology
• Psiquiatria
• Disturbios mentais
• Psychiatrie biologique
• Mental Disorders > microbiology

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. 209) and index.

Contents

The evolution of biological psychiatry -- The genetics of behavior -- How genes work -- Neurons, circuits, and neurotransmission -- Drugs and receptors -- Mania and depression -- Schizophrenia -- Fears and compulsions.

ISBN

• 0716750414
• 9780716750413

ISSN

1040-3213

LCCN

92035150

OCLC

• ocm26852515
• 26852515
• SCSB-5736786

Owning Institutions

Columbia University Libraries