Psychiatric Neuroimaging Research

New neuroimaging techniques are developing at a break neck pace-every academic journal contains glossy pictures of brain activity corresponding to a particular task emblazoned in glorious technicolor. Discoveries about brain function in psychiatric disorders have been made at an equally rapid rate. However, most books on the subject have been written from a technical point of view. An introductory, easy-to-read guide, Neuroimaging in Psychiatry provides an overview and the clinical relevance of the latest neuroimaging findings. With contributions from an international panel of experts, this book reviews current findings from neuroimaging in schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, eating disorders, psychopathy, aging, and drug addiction. Chapter authors explore innovative and imaginative uses of neuro imaging technology, implications for our understanding of these disorders, and their impact on clinical practice. The book gives you a general overview of the main techniques to help you successfully complete a neuroimaging project.

The past decade has witnessed tremendous progress in psychiatric neuroimaging research. Investigators have developed, in tandem with significant advances in imaging technology, innovative strategies for exploiting the awesome potential of these new tools. This volume brings you up to date on the latest developments by providing insight into the methodology of experimental design of the numerous neuroimaging articles being published in today's peer-reviewed journals. Revealing the remarkable wealth of neuroimaging's potential contributions to psychiatry, 49 distinguished contributors use accounts of their own research to illustrate the power of particular paradigmatic techniques. These techniques hold promise not only for delineating pathophysiology and advancing neuroscience, but also for yielding discoveries of direct clinical significance, such as diagnostic testing, predictors of treatment response, and new medications. Focused specifically on applications in psychiatry, these chapters are uniquely organized around experimental paradigms rather than psychiatric disorders: Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect and characterize subtle, easily overlooked abnormalities in schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder. Testing specific hypotheses regarding the functional integrity of implicated neural systems within the brain as part of cognitive activation studies of schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Assessing the roles of the amygdala and striatum in anxiety disorders, including masked stimuli and other task manipulation methods to assay nonconscious brain activity. Investigating the neural correlates of psychiatric symptoms in anxiety disorders, using script-driven imagery and in vivo exposure to experimentally manipulate study conditions. Capturing the often elusive symptoms of hallucinations and psychomotor tics using innovative imaging techniques. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to investigate how the brain regulates mood. Other fascinating topics include using positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to discern the therapeutic mechanisms of psychotropic medications and enhance the development of new medications; integrating structural and functional imaging to treat major depression; using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to quantify brain concentrations of exogenous compounds; using MRI to visualize circuits implicated in developmental disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety, including ground-breaking studies of children; using functional MRI in animals and its applications in psychiatric research; and exploring the use of neuroimaging methods to investigate genetic contributions to normal cognitive function. Specialists and general clinicians alike will find much of interest in this definitive look at the exciting developments in neuroimaging today and how they can enhance our understanding and treatment of psychiatric disorders. This comprehensive text with its extensive illustrations and annotations will also prove a welcome addition to any course in the neurosciences.

This important volume is the first to address the use of neuroimaging in civil and criminal forensic contexts and to include discussion of prior precedents and court decisions. Equally useful for practicing psychiatrists and psychologists, it reviews both the legal and ethical consideraitons of neuroimaging.

" This volume examines the state-of-the-art in our understanding of the aging brain through the application of brain imaging techniques of neuroscience to the geriatric population. By exploring the neurobiological aspects of geriatric mental health, scientists can begin to understand why abnormal aging happens and what can be done to treat it. Researchers in the fields of geriatric psychiatry, cognitive neuropsychology, neurology, neuroradiology, and physics have combined their expertise to present this accessible, compact review of the field. The chapter authors discuss the use of image modalities and what they can tell us about the aging brain; and present cutting-edge information on image processing and data analysis in the context of geriatric populations. With this book, both novice and seasoned investigators can gain fresh, new insight into geriatric mental health. Key topics: The use of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), MRS (magnetic resonance spectroscopy), and other modalities with geriatric populations The application of SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) and PET (positron emission tomography) to geriatric mental health Structural brain changes associated with normal aging Functional neuroanatomy of aging and cognition Brain structural and functional correlates of Alzheimer?s dementia and mild cognitive impairment Neuroimaging in late-life schizophrenia "

Neuroimaging and Neurophysiology in Psychiatry is an invaluable guide through the methods and applications of neuroimaging and neurophysiology.

Neuroimaging techniques have made a huge contribution to our understanding of schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Until now however, texts on both schizophrenia and neuroimaging have paid little attention to the overlap between these areas. This new volume is the first dedicated to unravelling how these techniques can help us better understand this complex disorder. Each chapter focuses on a particular research method, describing the nature of the findings, the main technological problems, and future possibilities. Though including sufficient methodological detail to be of value to imaging researchers, the emphasis throughout is on providing information of value to clinicians. Written and edited by leaders in schizophrenia research, this book details what structural and functional brain imaging studies have already established about schizophrenia and what developments are likely in the foreseeable future.

The new seventh edition reflects advances in the understanding of the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of psychiatric disorders as well as the positive, transformational change that has taken place in the field of psychiatry.

This comprehensive book explains the importance of imaging techniques in exploring and understanding the role of brain abnormalities in schizophrenia. The findings obtained using individual imaging modalities and their biological interpretation are reviewed in detail, and updates are provided on methodology, testable hypotheses, limitations, and new directions for research. The coverage also includes important recent applications of neuroimaging to schizophrenia, for example in relation to non-pharmacological interventions, brain development, genetics, and prediction of treatment response and outcome. Written by world renowned experts in the field, the book will be invaluable to all who wish to learn about the newest and most important developments in neuroimaging research in schizophrenia, how these developments relate to the last 30 years of research, and how they can be leveraged to bring us closer to a cure for this devastating disorder. Neuroimaging in Schizophrenia will assist clinicians in navigating what is an extremely complex field and will be a source of insight and stimulation for researchers.

There is an increasing focus on medical studies related to differences between men and women, and women’s mental health stands out as one of the most important fields where sex-based differences are being investigated. Overall, studies show an existence of important sex-specific differences in several aspects of psychiatric disorders such as etiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation and therapeutics. In this book, recognized experts present the current state of knowledge on this topic, providing a reliable, accurate and comprehensive clinical guide to women's mental health. The book will steer clear of an in-depth discussion of genetics and sex-based differences to focus quickly and narrowly on how best to diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders in women, thereby offering a targeted and practical guide for clinicians. It is intended to serve a broad audience -- including psychiatrists, psychologists, family physicians, obstetricians, gynecologists, nurses, social workers and other medical and mental health providers with an interest in women's mental health. Women's Mental Health: A Clinical and Evidence-Based Guide will be fully evidence-based and will present chapters authored by distinguished leaders with extensive experience and clinical wisdom in this area. It offers psychiatrists, psychologists, family physicians, obstetricians, gynecologists, nurses, social workers and other medical and mental health providers a valuable source of information to enhance their clinical practice.