Neuroscience Lecture Series: Volume I - Foundational Lectures

This inaugural volume encompasses 20 meticulously curated chapters that introduce the essentials of neuroscience tailored to psychiatry. Beginning with an exploration of the historical evolution and scope of neuroscience in understanding mental disorders (Chapter 1), it progresses through the gross anatomy of critical brain structures like the cortex, limbic system, and brainstem (Chapter 2), and delves into the microstructure of neurons, glial cells, and synapses (Chapter 3). You will uncover the mechanisms of neural signaling, including action potentials and neurotransmitter systems such as dopamine and serotonin (Chapters 4 and 8), and explore neural circuits governing reward, fear, and emotion (Chapters 5 and 15). The volume also covers pivotal topics like the blood-brain barrier's role in psychotropic drug delivery (Chapter 6), neurodevelopmental processes linked to disorders like autism (Chapter 7), and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in stress-related conditions such as PTSD (Chapter 9). Further, it addresses the neural basis of sleep, circadian rhythms, and pain perception (Chapters 10 and 18), alongside neuroendocrinology, neuroimmunology, neurogenetics, and neuroplasticity (Chapters 11-14). The volume concludes with introductions to cognitive neuroscience, sensory-motor systems, brain mapping techniques like EEG and fMRI, and the ethical considerations of neuroscience research (Chapters 16-20). Each chapter is enriched with clinical correlations and recent research insights to enhance comprehension and practical application.