The Physiological Basis of Behaviour: Neural and Hormonal Processes Book

	List of illustrations	xiii
	Acknowledgments	xv
1	Methods of investigating brain function	1
	Introduction	1
	Neuroanatomical techniques	1
	Electron microscopy	2
	Chemical staining	3
	Brain scans	4
	Neurophysiological techniques	5
	Lesioning	6
	Brain stimulation	6
	Recording methods	7
	Neurochemical methods	8
	Chapter summary	9
2	The neuron	11
	Introduction	11
	The structure of the neuron	11
	The neuronal membrane	13
	The resting membrane potential	13
	The action potential	14
	Neurotransmitters	16
	The synapse	18
	Summation	19
	Autoreceptors	20
	Chapter summary	20
3	Organisation of the central nervous system	23
	Introduction	23
	Divisions of the mammalian nervous system	24
	The spinal cord	25
	The brain	25
	Hindbrain	28
	Midbrain	28
	Forebrain	30
	Functions of the CNS	34
	Arousal	35
	Emotion	35
	Language	35
	Chapter summary	36
4	The autonomic nervous system	39
	Introduction	39
	Structure of the ANS	39
	Sympathetic and parasympathetic branches	39
	Anatomy of the ANS	40
	Central control of the ANS	41
	Functions of the ANS	42
	'Executive stress' and the formation of ulcers	42
	Fight or flight	44
	Chapter summary	45
5	The endocrine system	47
	Introduction	47
	Hormone release by the endocrine system	48
	The hypothalamus and pituitary gland	48
	Glandular hormones	50
	Feedback mechanisms	54
	Functions of the endocrine system	56
	Endocrine reactions to stress	56
	Endocrine control of the menstrual cycle	57
	Other aspects of sexual behaviour	57
	Chapter summary	58
6	Homeostasis	61
	Introduction	61
	What is homeostasis?	62
	Temperature regulation	63
	Control mechanisms of temperature regulation	63
	Behavioural changes in anticipation of temperature requirements	64
	Eating	64
	Metabolism	64
	Hunger	65
	The glucostatic hypothesis	66
	The lipostatic theory	67
	The ischymetric hypothesis	68
	Satiety	68
	Summary of eating mechanisms	70
	Drinking	70
	Water compartments	70
	Osmotic thirst	72
	Volumetric thirst	73
	Drinking satiety	74
	Summary of drinking mechanisms	75
	Chapter summary	75
7	How drugs affect the brain	79
	Introduction	79
	Types of effect that could occur	80
	Possible sites for drug effects	81
	Examples of drugs and their synaptic effects	83
	Diazepam	83
	Alcohol	84
	Chapter summary	84
8	Classifying psychoactive drugs	87
	Introduction	87
	Sedative hypnotics	88
	Stimulants	89
	Opiate narcotics	91
	Hallucinogens and psychedelics	92
	Antipsychotic tranquillisers	93
	Tolerance, dependence and withdrawal	94
	Tolerance	95
	Dependence and withdrawal	95
	Chapter summary	96
9	Drugs and behaviour	99
	Introduction	99
	Depression and the antidepressants	99
	Types of depression	100
	Features of depression	100
	The monoamine theory of depression	101
	Drug treatments of depression	101
	Schizophrenia and the antipsychotics	103
	Features of schizophrenia	103
	The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia	104
	The serotonin link	105
	Drug therapies of schizophrenia	105
	The treatment of manic depression	106
	Chapter summary	106
10	Study aids	109
	Improving your essay writing skills	109
	Practice essay 1	110
	Practice essay 2	112
	Practice essay 3	114
	Key research summary	117
	Glossary	119
	Bibliography	131
	Index	137