The Scientific Basis of Psychiatry – serie

Benzodiazepines are the most commonly used psychotropic drugs, prescribed for their action as tranquillizers, hypnotics and anti-epileptics. They act in the brain by binding to specific, highly selective recognition sites, the benzodiazepine receptors. This book, first published in 1987, summarises our knowledge of these receptors for a student and professional audience and is divided into two sections. In the first part, the general properties of the receptors and their involvement in the mechanisms of action of benzodiazepines are described. The second part discusses the function of the receptors and concludes that the system represents a novel neuronal system for the fine adjustment of brain function or for auxiliary function if the other neuronal systems fail owing to pathological defects.

First published in 1985, this book provides the psychiatrist with a basic knowledge of the methods and concepts used in the sphere of artificial intelligence. The techniques not only involve building models of the mind (and hence aid hypothesis testing) but also incorporate programs to assist the everyday work of psychiatrists. Knowledge representation, natural language understanding, search and planning, computer-assisted diagnosis, simulation and teaching are discussed. Enough basic theory is outlined to enable readers to understand and to carry out research in the area and to take part in the major ethical debate which will affect the direction of research in the area.