Nancy C. Andreasen – författare

Research Advances in Genetics and Genomics: Implications for Psychiatry introduces mental health professionals to exciting breakthroughs in endophenotypes, animal models, microarrays, and genetic mapping, as well as general strategies for identifying the genetic mechanisms of mental illnesses.

Uniquely valuable both as summary and signpost, this concise volume provides a fascinating overview of recent cutting-edge developments in the application of molecular genetics, genomics, and proteomics to the study of psychiatric populations.

By reading Research Advances in Genetics and Genomics, you will gain a better understanding of • Psychiatric Genetics -- Reviews and assesses the major research paradigms that have emerged in the field of psychiatric genetics over the several past decades, exploring the major conceptual and philosophical issues they pose and the value of their integration.• Molecular Structure of Nucleic Acids -- An overview of the double-helix discovery and provides a context for current endeavors, the original one-page April 1953 Nature paper by Watson and Crick, which sparked a revolution in the life sciences.• Psychiatry in the Genomics Era -- Posits that one of the most important consequences of genomics will be the development of individualized treatments that allow a clinician to tailor therapy on the basis of the unique genotype of each patient rather than on the mean responses of groups of unrelated patients. • The Genomics Revolution -- Details the implications of the genome for future medical practice, including the potential for developing methods and tools to better understand, treat, and prevent major mental disorders.• The Endophenotype Concept in Psychiatry -- Explains the etymology and strategy behind the use of endophenotypes in neuropsychiatric research and, more generally, in research on other diseases with complex genetics, such as schizophrenia.• The Genes and Brains of Mice and Men -- Shows why a detailed assessment of brain function in mice is so important for advancing psychiatric research in humans. Humans and mice share numerous features-in fact, for an estimated 99% of human genes a mouse version may be identified-of brain organization and behavioral responses to many pharmacological agents.• Microarray Technology -- Asserts that microarrays present a methodology for identifying genes or pathways for new and unique potential drug targets, determining premorbid diagnosis, predicting drug responsiveness for individual patients, and, eventually, initiating gene therapy and prevention strategies.

Meticulously referenced, this volume is exceptionally useful as a starting point for understanding the impact of genetics and genomics on psychiatry, serving to introduce psychiatrists, psychologists, neurologists, and geneticists to this exciting field.

The prevalence of psychiatry in popular culture has coincided with the rise of amateur "armchair" psychiatrists -- and this often serves to muddy the waters about what, exactly, the field entails. For all the misconceptions, though, psychiatry is an endlessly fascinating field, charged with defining and recognizing mental illnesses, identifying methods for treating them, and discovering their causes and developing measures to prevent them.

Introductory Textbook of Psychiatry dispels common misunderstandings and delves into what makes this such an exciting discipline. Now in its seventh edition, this bestselling guide is organized along the lines of DSM-5® and has been updated to reflect changes to the manual, including new medications and therapies.

Rigorous in scope, Introductory Textbook of Psychiatry is nevertheless accessible and conversational in tone. It employs fascinating case vignettes, clinical pearls, self-assessment questions, and tables and figures as it offers a summary of: • The DSM-5® diagnostic system• The neurobiological basis of psychiatry• Interviewing and assessment -- including specific questions that patients can be asked• The various psychiatric disorders• Legal issues• Psychiatric emergencies• Treatment Initially developed for medical students and beginning residents, this guide is also a valuable reference for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, and psychologists. And because it has been edited to align with the Pocket Guide to Psychiatric Practice, it makes an excellent companion piece to that volume, as well.