The Human Connectome: How the Brain Works

Description

This book constitutes the end result of 20 years-long effort that goes beyond a Psychiatrist’s standard clinical training and education, even that of a Psychiatrist that follows an academic career. Trying to explain how the human mind works is hard and the heterogeneity of the audience make the attempt even more difficult. There is a conceptual difference between the words ‘brain’ and ‘mind’and this makes the effort even more difficult since the present book tries to preserve the strict scientific approach concerning all the topics discussed. The work elaborates and tries to answer questions frequently phrased by audiences in teaching classes and in conferences and does not avoid any question. In order to achieve this goal, it is structured in chapters all the way from the molecule and the cell to consciousness and free will.  The book targets mainly the mental health care professionals as an audience, and to a lesser extend the other health professionals. It is written according to the author’s view concerning the training and educational needs of Psychiatrists and Psychologists and to a lesser degree of Neurologists and Neuroscientists in general. Foreword Introduction Contents About the Author 1: History 1.1 Antiquity and the Prescientific Era 1.2 The Dawn of the Scientific Era 1.3 From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and the Early Modern Era 1.4 The Great Revolutions and the Extinction of the Supernatural References 2: Gross Anatomy of the Brain 2.1 Gross Functional Anatomy 2.2 Connections Among Brain Areas 2.3 Brain Blood Flow References 3: Cellular Structure and Histological Architecture of the Brain 3.1 Structural Components of the Brain 3.2 Microtopographic Organization of the Brain References 4: The Cell Membrane 4.1 The Membrane 4.2 The Resting Potential 4.3 The Action Potential 4.4 After the Action Potential Period 4.5 Local Potentials References 5: Neurotransmitters 5.1 General Concepts 5.2 Definition of a Neurotransmitter 5.3 Classification of Neurotransmitters 5.3.1 Small-Molecule Neurotransmitters or Biogenic Amines 5.3.2 Excitatory Amino Acids and Neuroactive Peptides 5.3.3 Small-Molecule Neurotransmitters 5.3.3.1 Acetylcholine (Ach) 5.3.3.2 Serotonin (5-HT) 5.3.3.3 Norepinephrine (NE) 5.3.3.4 Dopamine (DA) 5.3.3.5 Histamine (His) 5.3.4 Excitatory Amino Acids and Neuroactive Peptides 5.3.4.1 Glutamate (Glu) 5.3.4.2 Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) 5.3.4.3 Glycine (Gly) 5.3.4.4 Neuroactive Peptides Hypothalamic Neuropeptides Brain-Borne Neuropeptides Pituitary Hormones Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) Peptides Brain-Borne Opioid Peptides Brain-Borne Gastrointestinal or Brain-Gut Neuropeptides Other Neuropeptides Neuroactive Steroids 5.3.5 Gliotransmitters 5.4 Cotransmission References 6: The Neural Synapse 6.1 Background 6.2 Chemical Synapses 6.2.1 Receptors 6.2.1.1 Acetylcholine Receptors 6.2.1.2 Serotonin Receptors 6.2.1.3 Norepinephrine Receptors 6.2.1.4 Dopamine Receptors 6.2.1.5 Histamine Receptors 6.2.1.6 Glutamate Receptors 6.2.1.7 Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Receptors 6.2.1.8 Opioid Receptors 6.2.1.9 Sigma Receptors 6.2.2 Neurotransmitter Reuptake 6.3 Electrical Synapses 6.4 Autapses References 7: Functional Significance of Neurotransmitter Systems 7.1 The Functional Role of the Cholinergic System 7.2 The Functional Role of the Serotonergic System 7.2.1 Pathways and Information Input into the Serotonin System 7.2.2 Regulation of Serotonin Activity 7.2.3 Projections of Serotonergic Pathways 7.2.4 The Role of Serotonergic Receptors 7.3 The Functional Role of the Norepinephrine System 7.3.1 Pathways and Information Input into the Norepinephrine System 7.3.2 Regulation of Norepinephrine Activity 7.4 The Functional Role of the Dopamine System 7.4.1 Pathways and Information Input into the Dopaminergic System 7.4.2 Regulation of Dopaminergic Activity 7.4.3 Projections of Dopamine Pathways 7.4.4 The Role of Dopamine Receptors 7.5 The Functional Role of the Histamine System 7.5.1 The Role of Histamine in the Brain and the Body 7.5.2 The Role of Histamine Receptors 7.6 The Functional Role of the Glutamatergic System 7.6.1 The Role of Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors 7.6.1.1 The Role of the NMDA Receptors 7.6.1.2 The Role of the Kainate Receptors 7.6.2 The Role of the Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors 7.7 The Functional Role of the GABAergic System 7.8 The Functional Role of the Neuropeptide System 7.8.1 The General Functional Role of Neuropeptides 7.8.2 The Role of Neuropeptide Receptors 7.9 General Principles of Neurotransmitter Systems Self-Regulation References 8: Second Messenger Systems 8.1 From the Synapsis to the Second Messenger 8.1.1 G-Protein 8.1.2 Effectors 8.2 Second Messengers 8.2.1 Classes of Second Messenger Molecules 8.2.2 Second Messenger Pathways and Systems References 9: Neurotrophic Factors 9.1 Basics for Neurotrophic Factors 9.2 Neurotrophic Factor Molecules 9.3 Neurotrophic Factor Receptors 9.4 Neurotrophic Factor Actions 9.5 Other Neurotrophic Mechanisms and Substances References 10: Functional Organization of the Brain 10.1 Basic Functional Anatomy of the Brain 10.2 Perception 10.3 Neuronal Circuits 10.4 Internal Representation of the External Environment 10.5 Decision-Making and Action References 11: Higher Mental Functions 11.1 Attention and Concentration 11.1.1 Neuropsychological Models of Attention 11.1.2 Neurobiology of Attention 11.2 Memory and Learning 11.2.1 Categories of Memory and Learning 11.2.2 Neurobiology of Memory and Learning 11.3 Visuospatial Function 11.4 Praxis 11.5 Language 11.6 Arithmetic Calculations 11.7 Abstract Thinking 11.8 Executive Functions and Neurocognitive Control 11.8.1 Neuropsychological Definition of Executive Function 11.8.2 Neurobiology of Executive Functions 11.9 Social Cognition and Theory of Mind References 12: Thought 12.1 Basic Characteristics of Human Thinking 12.2 General Intelligence References 13: Mood, Affect, and Emotions 13.1 Mood, Affect, and Emotions 13.2 The Role of Mood, Affect, and Emotions 13.3 Neurobiology of Mood, Affect, and Emotions 13.4 Comparison of Rational and Emotional Processing References 14: Sleep 14.1 General Comments on Sleep 14.2 The Structure of Sleep 14.3 Neurobiology of Sleep 14.4 The Role of Sleep in Brain and Body Functions 14.5 Dreaming References 15: Consciousness and Free Will 15.1 Theoretical Approach of Consciousness 15.2 Neurobiology of Consciousness 15.3 The Concept of Free Will 15.4 Determinism Vs. Randomness 15.5 Physics, Mind, and the Brain 15.6 Neurobiology and Free Will References 16: Temperament, Personality, and Character 16.1 Basic Concepts and Definitions 16.2 Models of Human Personality 16.3 Neurobiology of Human Personality References 17: Differences Between Genders in the Organization and the Functioning of the Brain 17.1 Differences Between Genders in Observed Behavior 17.2 Structural Brain Differences Between Genders 17.2.1 Basic Biological Differences 17.2.2 Whole Brain Volume 17.2.3 Regional Differences 17.2.3.1 Hypothalamus 17.2.3.2 Limbic System and Basal Ganglia 17.2.3.3 Posterior Brain and Medulla Oblongata 17.2.4 Differences in Gray Matter 17.2.5 Differences in White Matter and Connectivity 17.2.6 Relationship to Sexual Orientation 17.3 Differences in Neurobiological Function of the Brain Between Genders 17.4 The Role of Sexual Hormones and Genes in the Development and Functioning of the Brain References 18: Genetics of Brain Structure and Function 18.1 Human Genetics 18.1.1 Basic Human Genetics 18.1.2 Patterns of Inheritance 18.1.3 Human Variation and Its Components 18.1.4 Methods in Behavior Genetics Research 18.2 Brain and Behavior Genetics 18.2.1 The Most Important Genetic Markers Identified So Far 18.2.2 Phenotypes and Endophenotypes 18.3 Conclusions from Genetic Studies References 19: Psychoneurobiology, Brain, and Society (Sociobiology) 19.1 Evolutionary Social Biopsychology 19.2 Sociobiology References 20: Acronyms 20.1 Acronyms to Full Names 20.2 Full Names to Acronyms