Bipolar Disorder : Biological Models & Their Clinical Applications (medical Psychiatry Series)

This practical volume furnishes a critical overview of the biological basis of bipolar affective disorder-relating theoretical biological models to clinical practice, summarizing current research as well as future directions for investigations, and providing a solid foundation for clinical interventions in bipolar illness. Ensures the clinical applicability and relevance of discussions by describing the importance of findings for the pathophysiology, symptomatology, course of illness, and pharmacotherapy of the disorder Bipolar Disorder -examines the role of classic neurotransmitter systems implicated in mood disorder -explores postreceptor signal transduction mechanisms in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder and their relevance to mood-stabilizing treatments -addresses advances in techniques for gaining more direct access to the diseased brain, such as neuroanatomical models and brain imaging studies -develops a conceptual and theoretical framework for understanding how biological mechanisms affect clinical presentation, course of illness, and response to treatments of complex disorder -compiles the latest results from various fields to form a basis for specific hypotheses about underlying biological disturbances in bipolar illness -delineates ways in which the biology of bipolar disorder differs from other psychiatric diseases, including mood and anxiety disorders and schizophrenia -locates specific findings within the context of present pharmacotherapy and other treatments, illustrating how they may direct development of new treatment strategies -and more Supplemented with references, tables, drawings, and photographs, Bipolar Disorder is a necessary resource for psychiatrists, neurologists, pharmaceutical and behavioral scientists, and medical school and graduate students in these disciplines.