Main 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.

Contents:

Introductory remarks.- Macroscopic structure of the brain.- Microscopic structure of the brain.- The cell membrane.- Neurotransmitters,. The synapse.- Function of neurotransmitter systems.- Second messengers.- Neurotrophic factors.- Functional organization of the brain.- Higher cognitive function.- Thought and intelligence.- Mood.- Sleep.- Consciousness and free will.- Temperament and personality.- Sex differences.- Brain genetics.- Sociobiology.