Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Neurosciences”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Emergence and the cognitive neuroscience approach to psychiatry.

In this paper, I introduce the philosophical notion of strong emergence and argue that it is almost exclusively applied to properties related to (conscious) subjective experience. Contrary to the still common attitude of refraining anxiously from these topics, I argue that we have a promising scientific approach to them: the cognitive neurosciences. I list a spectrum of interesting, potentially strongly emergent properties already investigated, and discuss the example of volition in more detail. Psychiatric disorders, like antisocial personality disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive compulsive disorder, open new ways for understanding aspects of volition such as willed action, decision making, and agency. I conclude that the notion of strong emergence is only a preliminary label which, however, might be understood as a challenge for empirical scientists to explain and understand phenomena related to subjectivity and consciousness.

Antisocial Personality Disorder↗
PubMed1999

Psychoanalysis and the neurosciences: a topical debate on dreams.

The author begins by pointing out that, whereas Freud first turned his attention to dreams in 1895, they became an object of neuroscientific interest only in the 1950s, after the discovery of rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep and the observation that a subject woken in an REM phase could remember and narrate them. He discusses the various brain structures found by the neuroscientists to be implicated in dreaming and the associated hypotheses about their involvement in the processes of remembering dreams, their spatial construction and semantic organisation, and the dreamer's emotional participation in and narration of dreams. Attention is drawn to recent psychophysiological research findings indicating that dreaming occurs in all sleep phases and not only in REM episodes. The cognitivist contribution is also discussed. The author goes on to demonstrate the difference between the neuroscientific and psychoanalytic approaches to dreams. Whereas the neuroscientists are interested in the structures involved in dream production and in dream organisation and narratability, psychoanalysis concentrates on the meaning of dreams and on placing them in the context of the analytic relationship in accordance with the affective history of the dreamer and the transference. The brain structures and functions of interest to the neurosciences, while constituting the physical and biological substrate of these aspects, are stated to be irrelevant to their psychoanalytic understanding.

Dreams↗
PubMed2005

Notes for a dialogue between psychoanalysis and neuroscience.

The author postulates that the dialogue between psychoanalysis and neuroscience is based on the assumption that both deal with virtual structures. They are two facets of the same noumenal reality, but with different phenomenal realities, and it is possible to use metapsychology as a lingua franca to develop communication between the two fields. In the second part of the paper, the author reflects on the results of recent neurophysiological research which seem to offer to psychoanalysis possibilities for finding an anatomical physiological correlate of some well-known psychic phenomena and mechanisms, such as imitation, introjection, identification, empathy, identity, mother child communication, learning, social communication and the analyst patient relationship. Particular neurons, called mirror neurons, have been located in the F5 area of baboons' brains. They are also present in man's brain within Broca's area. These neurons activate our motor system during both the performance of actions and the observation of actions performed by others giving rise to an automatic response, a sort of simulation or, rather, imitation, as the process is not intentional, but automatic and unaware, that is, unconscious.

Biomedical Research↗
PubMed2006

Cognitive development, memory, trauma, treatment: An integration of psychoanalytic and behavioral concepts in light of current neuroscience research.

The goal of Freud's Project was to place all psychological functioning on a neurological foundation; however, the resources of his time were inadequate for the task. This article attempts to link basic psychoanalytic and behavioral constructs to current neuroscience, specifically the memory paradigm of multiple trace theory. We propose that Freud's theory of early cognitive development, in which primary process is succeeded by secondary process, corresponds to the progression from a noncontextual taxon-based memory system to a locale system (mediated by hippocampal and cortical structures) in which memories are formed within space/time contexts. The effects of trauma within these models is then examined by noting how Freud's views of repression and regression parallel neuropsychological hypotheses about the ways in which traumatic experience impacts specific brain areas. Finally, the treatment implications of this theoretical synthesis are explored. We posit that transference resembles the learning theory construct of generalization, and the non-contextualized coding of the taxon system. In conclusion, we suggest that orthodox psychoanalytic approaches may have overestimated the efficacy of words and intellectual vectors in effecting therapeutic change. Nonverbal strategies may be required to reach material that is stored in early developing brain areas that may be inaccessible to words.

Behavior Therapy↗
PubMed2003

On building a clinical cognitive neuroscience.

No one can or has doubted that the brain "lights up" in the context of normal and abnormal experience and behavior. The anatomy of the brain ensures that its regions, circuits, distributed pathways, and cell assemblies have to provide the "electricity" for the lights. Some of the relevant structures light up preferentially for some neurocognitive functions (e.g., language, attention and working memory, spatial orientation). However, many domains of experience and behavior relevant to mental health problems (e.g., motivation, attachment residuals, emotional responses) appear to have a different neural representation than traditional neurocognitive functions. At any rate, the preceding describes the territory that Strumwasser emphasizes should be taken into consideration in context of mental health problems. The territory he wants to connect with involves disturbances of experience and behavior, social inefficiency, behavioral breakdowns, and disordered thought, all of which demarcate the clinical domain. Strumwasser believes that a relevant and clinically useful bridge can be devised to cross and link together these territories in an effective way. He proposes and urges that attention be given to developing a frame of reference by means of which a solid correspondence can be established between the two territories. He provides a stimulating and provocative image of a future clinical cognitive neuroscience. His vision, however, raises many questions. Furthermore, whether future developments in the neural sciences will or can accommodate Strumwasser's wishes remains to be seen.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Integrative neuroscience approach to predict ADHD stimulant response.

Despite high rates of prescription, little is known about the long-term consequences of stimulant medication therapy for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) sufferers. Historically, the clinical use of stimulants for ADHD has been based on trial and error before optimal therapy is reached. Concurrently, scientific research on the mechanism of action of stimulants has influenced neurobiological models of ADHD, but has not always informed their prescription. Whilst the two main stimulant types (methylphenidate and dexamphetamine) have numerous similarities, they also differ (slightly) in mechanism and possibly individual response. A further issue relates to differences in cost and availability compounded by the expectation for stimulants to be effective in ameliorating a broad spectrum of ADHD-related symptoms. Thus, there is an increasing need for treating clinicians to prescribe not only the most effective drug, but also the most appropriate dose with the associated release mechanism and schedule for each ADHD patient presented. In this regard, the field is witnessing an emergence of the personalized medicine approach to ADHD, in which treatment decisions are tailored to each individual. This shift requires a new approach to research into treatment response prediction. Given the heterogeneity of ADHD, a profile of information may be required to capture the most sensitive predictors of treatment response in individuals. These profiles will also benefit from the integration of data from clinical rating scales with more direct measures of cognition and brain function. In conclusion, there is a need to establish a more robust normative framework as the baseline for treatment, as well as diagnostic decisions, and as discussed, the growth of integrated neuroscience databases will be important in this regard.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed1997

Parapsychology and the neurosciences: a computer-based content analysis of abstracts in the database "MEDLINE" from 1975 to 1995.

A computer-based content of 109 abstracts retrieved by the subject heading "parapsychology" from the database MEDLINE for the years 1975-1995 is presented. Data were analyzed by four categories to terms denoting (1) research methods, (2) neurosciences, (3) humanities/psychodynamics, and (4) parapsychology. Results indicated a growing interest in neuroscientific and neuropsychological explanations and theories.

Abstracting and Indexing↗
PubMed2005

Applications of two-photon microscopy in the neurosciences.

Thanks to deep tissue penetration of infrared light (IR), two-photon laser scanning microscopy (2PLSM) has become an important tool in modern neuroscience. Examples range from the high-resolution visualization of dendritic spines in single neurons to the monitoring of intracellular Ca++ transients in small neural networks. In the present review we give an overview of the current achievements and discuss emerging applications of the technique.

Brain Mapping↗
PubMed2000

Neuroscience education of undergraduate medical students. Part I: role of neurosurgeons as educators.

OBJECT: Economic, demographic, and political pressures have mandated that medical schools increase the number of primary care physicians. The goal of this study was to determine the nature of the average medical student's exposure to neurosurgical issues. METHODS: Surveys were sent to every neurosurgical program director in the United States and to the dean of every medical school in North America, querying the extent of neurosurgical involvement in medical student education. Specifically, the respondents were asked how medical students were educated about the management of low-back pain and radiculopathy, carotid artery disease, head and spine trauma, and headache. Survey results were obtained from 65 (67%) of 97 neurosurgery program directors and from 57 (40%) of 143 medical school deans. Only one program in North America reported having a required neurosurgical rotation for all medical students, and just over 50% (29 of 57 deans and 34 of 65 program directors) reported that neurosurgery was an option in a required neuroscience or surgical subspecialty course. Neurosurgeons were not listed among the top three sources for medical student education in the topics of low-back pain and radiculopathy or carotid artery disease. Neurosurgeons were the most frequently cited source of education regarding head and spinal injuries, despite the fact that the majority of medical schools do not have any required medical student exposure to neurosurgery. CONCLUSIONS: With rare exceptions, neurosurgeons are not significantly involved in the education of medical students concerning the management of common neurosurgical issues. As a result, most emerging primary care physicians are taught about these issues by other specialists or not at all. The implications of this situation are discussed.

Carotid Artery Diseases↗
PubMed2004

The cognitive neuroscience of creativity.

This article outlines a framework of creativity based on functional neuroanatomy. Recent advances in the field of cognitive neuroscience have identified distinct brain circuits that are involved in specific higher brain functions. To date, these findings have not been applied to research on creativity. It is proposed that there are four basic types of creative insights, each mediated by a distinctive neural circuit. By definition, creative insights occur in consciousness. Given the view that the working memory buffer of the prefrontal cortex holds the content of consciousness, each of the four distinctive neural loops terminates there. When creativity is the result of deliberate control, as opposed to spontaneous generation, the prefrontal cortex also instigates the creative process. Both processing modes, deliberate and spontaneous, can guide neural computation in structures that contribute emotional content and in structures that provide cognitive analysis, yielding the four basic types of creativity. Supportive evidence from psychological, cognitive, and neuroscientific studies is presented and integrated in this article. The new theoretical framework systematizes the interaction between knowledge and creative thinking, and how the nature of this relationship changes as a function of domain and age. Implications for the arts and sciences are briefly discussed.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1998

Virtual environments in brain damage rehabilitation: a rationale from basic neuroscience.

The potential of virtual environments in assessment and training of cognitive function is a more than adequate reason for their application to neurorehabilitation. However, there is a more fundamental justification, and one which is firmly rooted in the neuroscience literature. Over the last half century there has been a wealth of published evidence that enriching the environments of laboratory rats stimulates neuroplastic change in the cerebral cortex, enhances learning and problem solving in normal rats and reduces cognitive impairment in brain damaged rats. Central to all three effects of enrichment are the increased levels of interaction with the physical environment engendered by enrichment. Placing humans who have damaged brains in virtual environments is one way of enhancing their levels of environmental interaction which, because of cognitive impairments and sensory and motor disabilities, is otherwise difficult to achieve. In this chapter we explore the potential of virtual environments as enriched environments within the rehabilitation regime. The underlying assumption, that interaction with a virtual environment is functionally equivalent to interaction with a real environment, is examined. Three lines of relevant evidence are reviewed, neuroimaging studies and psychophysiological studies of people in virtual environments and studies of transfer of training from virtual to real tasks. An agenda for future research in this are is proposed.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Neurosciences in the Third Reich: from Ivory Tower to death camps.

It is commonly thought that the horrific medical abuses occurring during the era of the Third Reich were limited to fringe physicians acting in extreme locales such as the concentration camps. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that there was a widespread perversion of medical practice and science that extended to mainstream academic physicians. Scientific thought, specifically the theories of racial hygiene, and the political conditions of a totalitarian dictatorship, acted symbiotically to devalue the intrinsic worth to society of those individuals with mental and physical disabilities. This devaluation served to foster the medical abuses which occurred. Neurosciences in the Third Reich serves as a backdrop to highlight what was the slippery slope of medical practice during that era. Points on this slippery slope included the "dejudification" of medicine, unethical experimentation in university clinics, systematic attempts to sterilize and euthanasize targeted populations, the academic use of specimens obtained through such programs and the experimental atrocities within the camps.

Concentration Camps↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Magnetoencephalography: a new functional diagnostic technique for the neurosciences].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We present a review on the technical, methodological and clinical advances in the functional study of the brain by means of magneto-encephalography. We look back the milestones of its historical development, through the work of the major research groups on this field and through our group's works and database (including doctoral thesis). Discussion on the neurophysiological and biomagnetism basis is provided as well as description of technical developments in superconducting detectors (SQUID, Superconducting Quantum Interference Device), signal processing, enhancement of noise-signal ratio and dipole modeling. DEVELOPMENT: The need for brain functional studies has led to newer imaging procedures (functional magnetic resonance, PET, SPECT, etc.). Their spatial and temporal resolution and invasivity are compared to that of magneto-encephalography. Current equipment, up to 306 whole-head channels, may accurately detect cortical and subcortical activity. Apart from the physiological activity, it may be applied to a number of conditions: epilepsy (ictal, interictal and presurgical); dementia, movement disorders, stroke, eloquent cortex delimitation prior to tumour or lesion resection; learning disabilities and foetal studies. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetoencephalography provides with an excellent temporal, very good spatial resolution, acquires in real-time, without references and minimal interference. It entails a great advance in the diagnostic approach in neurosciences.

Brain↗
PubMed1999

Foundation for practice. Neuroassessment for neuroscience nurses.

Neuroassessment is the basis for clinical reasoning and nursing interventions in the neuroscience patient. This article discusses various types of assessment tools, and provides practical tips to help the nurse conduct a neurological exam and interpret the findings.

Consciousness↗
PubMed1999

Ethical perspectives in neuroscience nursing practice.

The role of neuroscience nurses in relation to ethical issues has become increasingly complex. Knowledge of ethical principles and theories assists the nurse in the development of a theoretical basis for resolution of ethical issues or concerns. Additionally, the nurse must possess information regarding practice codes or standards as well as legislative requirements. The nurse must act as an advocate for the patient and society through active participation in institutional ethics committees and legislative forums.

Advance Directives↗
PubMed1999

[Psychiatry and the neurosciences].

The author draws attention to the importance of the development of neurosciences for psychiatry in particular for studies of biological aspects of mental disorders. She presents a review of methods which contribute to research of biological markers. Sufficiently sensitive and specific biological markers will contribute to the elucidation of the etiopathogenesis, objective diagnostics and prediction of the effectiveness of treatment. Emphatic enforcement of new findings into clinical practice will contribute to a more favourable position of psychiatry within the framework of medicine and society.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

I. P. Pavlov and the development of neuroscience.

Ivan Petrovitch Pavlov significantly changed and developed our knowledge of the brain functions and of the behaviour by his fundamental experimental and theoretical work on the physiology and pathophysiology of the higher nervous activity. He was one of the scientists who prepared the development of neuroscience in our century. During the Pavlovian Conference, 1950 in Moscow Stalin and the Communist Party tried to dogmatize his and his pupil's fundamental theories. But his pupils continued to develop Pavlovian ideas in open discussions with representatives of other schools in a very creative way, opening the doors for a system approach to understand the integrative functional systems of brain and behavior. Pavlov emphasized the high plasticity of the central nervous system. He investigated the complex functional systems within the brain and between the organism and its environment, and the designed models for pathology of the higher nervous activity. During his last years, Pavlov freed himself from the strong deterministic view and characterized the organism and its environment as a self-organizing system.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Neuroscience at the end of the 2nd millennium: a shift in paradigms].

The new neuroscience data rapidly accumulating by the end of the second millennium calls for radical revision of many long-established and widely accepted postulates. This paper reviews some data leading to new concepts of life and work of neurons. The adult brain contains stem cells which are the source of the precursors for all main types of the brain cells: neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendroglia. These cells can substitute the deteriorating elements in the adult and even old brain. The neurons occur to be highly resistant to lesion of their processes as well to anoxia, and inhibitory neurons are shown to be especially stable in some pathological conditions. Changes in the afferent inputs result in various types of rapid compensatory morphological and functional reorganizations at different levels. Thus, the previous fatalistic view of the nervous system is substituted now for an optimistic one regarding various possibilities of prolongation and restoration of normal functioning of the brain. Simultaneously, our concepts of the neurons changed drastically. An unitary neuron may operate by several neurotransmitting substances; their synaptic influences upon the dendrites may evoke the active propagation of calcium and sodium spikes, their axons may differentially release transmitter substances depending on parameters of excitation. All neuronal functions are helped and controlled by astroglia, which participates in the synthesis of transmitters and protects the neurons from the excitotoxic death. Besides the synaptic interactions between the neurons, there exist other types of communications, such as volume conduction of transmitters after their spillover from the excited synapses and non-synaptic (varicose) zones, as well as exchange of molecules and ions through the gap junctions. A complex picture of interneuronal communications with multiple synaptic, presynaptic, and parasynaptic interactions is further complicated by the intimate participation of neurotrophic substances and "mediators of the immune system"--cytokines in these processes. The mutual regulatory influences between neurotransmitters, neurotrophic, and neuroimmune systems show that in normal conditions all they are working in concert. This increase in number of factors determining the final result of interaction between the neurons contributes new difficulties to the development of theoretical concepts or simulation of brain functions. In this context it is possible to speak about a certain crisis of theoretical neurobiology at present, because multiplicity of fine details obtained by molecular neurobiology and neurogenetics cannot be integrated in a coherent view of the brain functions. Overcoming the present gap between the analytic and synthetic approaches to understanding the brain work will be the main aim for the neurobiologists of the third millennium.

Animals↗