Neuroscience for the Mental Health Clinician

by Steven R. Pliszka MD

Overview

Accessible and succinct, this book has given thousands of clinicians and students the basic understanding of neuroscience that is essential in contemporary mental health practice. Steven R. Pliszka synthesizes current knowledge on the neurobiological bases of major psychiatric disorders. He explores the brain systems that underlie cognition, emotions, and behavior; how disturbances in these systems can lead to psychopathology; and the impact of genetic and environmental risk factors across development. The book also addresses the ways that both pharmacological and psychosocial treatments act on the brain as they bring about a reduction in symptoms. Illustrations include 93 black-and-white figures and 14 color plates.

New to This Edition
*Incorporates over a decade of important advances in brain science.
*Heightened focus on brain networks.
*Cutting-edge discussions of genetics and epigenetics, the biological impact of stress, neurotransmitters, novel depression treatments, and other timely topics.
*Detailed chapters on autism spectrum disorder and dementia.
*Numerous new and revised figures.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781462527113
Publisher:	Guilford Publications, Inc.
Publication date:	08/22/2016
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	324
Sales rank:	448,088
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Steven R. Pliszka, MD, is Dielmann Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where he served as Chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry from 1995-2015. Throughout his career, Dr. Pliszka has been involved in a wide range of administrative, research, clinical, and educational activities. His research focuses on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and related disorders; he has been involved with numerous clinical trials of medications for ADHD and currently uses functional magnetic imaging to try to understand the mechanisms of action of ADHD treatments. He has also been involved in several projects to integrate mental health services into pediatric primary care. Dr. Pliszka maintains an active clinical practice and serves as the attending psychiatrist for two residential facilities for children with severe behavioral and emotional disorders.

Table of Contents

I. Basic Principles
1. Introduction
2. Draw the Brain: Introduction to Clinical Neuroanatomy
3. Neuronal Communication
4. Neurotransmitters
5. Genetics and Epigenetics
6. Fear, Reward, and Action
7. Attention and Memory
8. Higher Cognitive Functioning
II. Mental Disorders
9. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
10. Aggression, Antisocial Behavior, and Substance Abuse
11. Mood and Anxiety Disorders
12. Schizophrenia
13. Autism Spectrum Disorders
14. Dementia

Interviews

Clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, clinical social workers, and other clinicians working with children or adults; graduate students and psychiatric residents. May serve as a text in graduate-level courses and psychiatry residency programs.

Editorial Reviews

Dr. Pliszka has made an important contribution in helping mental health clinicians to orient themselves to the imperatives of neuroscience and the possibilities for future advancement." (on the first edition)

Community Mental Health Journal

"This book is well written and crafted in an engaging style that captures the reader's attention....The book does an excellent job of covering as much as possible on an extremely broad and intricate topic....An excellent book that is highly recommended for all mental health professionals. It is also a great introductory text for teaching in psychiatric residency programs, particularly for residents who are interested in the study of genetics and mental illness." (on the first edition)

Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

"The material in this book is highly relevant....I would like to see this book as required reading for all our medical students and psychiatric residents and would highly recommend it to biologically oriented psychologists, doctoral-level pharmacists, and other suitably prepared students and clinicians." (on the first edition)

Psychiatric Services

This is an excellent book....The author ties his presentation of neurobiology and of genetics directly to topics of enormous clinical interest—topics such as memory, fear, pleasure, and aggression. And more than that, he explains the neurobiological bases of both the symptomatic presentation and the successful treatment of disorders ranging from depression and mania through personality disorders." (on the first edition)

Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic

"As suggested by its title, Neuroscience for the Mental Health Clinician, by Steven R. Pliszka, is an important introductory resource for mental health clinicians who are interested in understanding how neurobiological advances can lead to new treatment and social policies for those who suffer from mental illness. However, the book's comprehensive coverage of neuroanatomy makes it an excellent resource for anyone who wants to understand how the brain can affect behavior....The author has done a commendable job in trying to describe, in simple language, how the brain influences behavior and what impact that has on our understanding of the etiology of mental illness." (on the first edition)

Psychological Medicine

Reviewer: Michael Schrift, DO (University of Washington School of Medicine)
Description: This is the second edition of a widely acclaimed book covering neuroscience for mental health clinicians. Thoroughly updated since the 2003 edition, this remains an excellent introductory book on the fundamentals of neuroscience related to psychiatric disorders. Written and edited by an academician/researcher in the field, it is a valuable beginner's guide to the neurosciences.
Purpose: The purpose of the second edition, according to the author, is to bring readers up to date about "the growing awareness of how environment shapes both structure and function of the brain." This edition emphasizes "epigenetics and a brain network approach" and "includes more detailed discussions of attention, memory, and higher cognitive function."
Audience: The intended audience is practicing mental health clinicians, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. It also would be useful for trainees in psychiatry, neurology, and behavioral pediatrics.
Features: The book is divided into two parts. Part one covers basic principles with reviews of clinical neuroanatomy, neuronal communication, neurotransmitters, genetics and epigenetics, fear, reward and action, attention and memory, and higher cognitive functioning. The second part reviews the neuroscience underpinning the major mental disorders including attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, aggression, antisocial behavior, substance abuse, mood, and anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, autistic spectrum disorders, and dementia. The reference section contains timely and pertinent citations of the relevant scientific literature. The diagrams and illustrations are clear and informative.
Assessment: This thoroughly updated edition is an extremely valuable introduction to the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in understanding the neurobiological basis of psychiatric disorders.

Doody's Review Service

"Impressive. Pliszka combines the warm, engaging style of an experienced teacher with the depth and breadth of a scientific leader. He carefully describes seminal studies of brain function in both healthy and disordered populations. This book provides a refreshing and dispassionately candid view of what is currently known about the relationship between behavior and neural networks, as well as how far we still need to go to improve understanding and treatment. The second edition incorporates state-of-the-art imaging studies, large-scale genetic and epigenetic experiments, and optogenetic advancements. This book could easily be used in clinical neuroscience courses for non-neuroscience graduate programs like clinical psychology. It also serves as a desk reference for practicing clinicians who wish to understand the latest technological breakthroughs."—Scott A. Langenecker, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago

"Since the first edition of this book was published, behavioral neuroscience has exploded with new research. The second edition focuses on how genetics, development, and the environment interact to shape brain networks and the implications of those networks. This book is ideal as a text for a neurobiology seminar for psychiatry residents, child psychiatry fellows, medical students, or psychology students, or as independent reading for clinicians who wish to understand how brain structure and function affect emotions and behavior. It offers cutting-edge, understandable explanations of current ideas regarding the biology of mental illness."—Mina K. Dulcan, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

"Addressing the neuroanatomy and neuropathological underpinnings of such disorders as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and mood disorders, the second edition of this extremely valuable resource has a new emphasis on networks. Pliszka underscores our burgeoning knowledge that the brain does not work in isolated units, but rather in concert across brain regions. He presents emerging empirical findings and transactional ideas that deepen our understanding of how the environment influences the brain, and vice versa. This book belongs in every practitioner's library."—Margaret Semrud-Clikeman, PhD, ABPdN, Division Director, Clinical Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School

From the Publisher