Biologische Grundlagen psychischer Störungen

The new edition of the volume provides a current introduction to the biological foundations of important mental disorders, such as dementias, schizophrenia, affective disorders, and anxiety disorders. Significant biological findings—particularly regarding brain changes and disturbances in neurotransmitter balance—and the theories based on these findings related to etiopathogenesis are presented in an easily understandable manner. The new edition particularly incorporates recent insights into dementing disorders, the mechanisms of action of psychotropic substances, and new treatment options for addiction disorders. An introductory chapter addresses the fundamentals of synaptic transmission, the characteristics of the main neurotransmitter systems, and biopsychological research methods. For each disorder, current information on symptoms, progression, epidemiology, genetic factors, and biological findings is provided. Building on this, biological explanatory models and biological intervention methods—specifically psychopharmacological treatment—and their presumed mechanisms of action are outlined.