The prevention, diagnosis and treatment of stress-related disorders are major challenges across medical disciplines. Reasons include a missing covariance between the psychological and physiological stress response and a tremendous intra-individual complexity of disease-related factors, resulting in a broad inter-individual heterogeneity of pathogenetic mechanisms. This book introduces 'Neuropattern', a new concept that attempts to assess the activity of neuroendocrine interfaces participating in the communication between the brain and the body during stress. This approach allows close examination of the causal mechanisms behind stress-related disturbances and diseases, thus enabling individualized preventive and therapeutic interventions. This publication provides clinicians, researchers and students from the fields of psychiatry, psychology, neurobiology and psychoendocrinology with an excellent overview of how knowledge from basic psychobiological research can be translated for the benefit of their patients.

Stress is such an over-used word that it is at time difficult to define its core features. When is an environment stressful? What does a stressful environment do to the brain and to the body? What are the biological mechanisms by which a stressor affects us? How does stress contributes to the onset and the progression of mental disorders? How do the effects of stress change over the life-time of an individual? These are just some of the overarching questions addressed by this book, thanks to the contribution of some of the world leading experts on the neurobiology of stress at the pre-clinical and clinical levels. Topics include current advances on the neurobiology of stress on various neurobiological systems such as immune, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, neurotransmitter (glutamate, noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin and endocannabinoid), neuropeptides, cognition and emotional processing as well as in utero and early postnatal effects. The clinical chapters deal with the relationship of stress and mental disorders such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance abuse and addiction, dementia and age-related cognitive decline as well as resilience to stress. Thus, this book brings together some of the most updated and authoritative views on the effects of stress of brain and behavior.

The Handbook of Stress and the Brain focuses on the impact of stressful events on the functioning of the central nervous system; how stress affects molecular and cellular processes in the brain, and in turn, how these brain processes determine our perception of and reactivity to, stressful challenges - acutely and in the long-run. Written for a broad scientific audience, the Handbook comprehensively reviews key principles and facts to provide a clear overview of the interdisciplinary field of stress. The work aims to bring together the disciplines of neurobiology, physiology, immunology, psychology and psychiatry, to provide a reference source for both the non-clinical and clinical expert, as well as serving as an introductory text for novices in this field of scientific inquiry. Part 1 addresses basic aspects of the neurobiology of the stress response including the involvement of neuropeptide, neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter systems and its corollaries regarding gene expression and behavioural processes such as cognition, motivation and emotionality. * Provides an overview of recent advances made in stress research * Includes timely discussion of stress and its effect on the immune system * Presents novel treatment strategies targeting brain processes involved in stress processing and coping mechanisms

The Handbook of Stress and the Brain focuses on the impact of stressful events on the functioning of the central nervous system; how stress affects molecular and cellular processes in the brain, and in turn, how these brain processes determine our perception of and reactivity to, stressful challenges - acutely and in the long-run. Written for a broad scientific audience, the Handbook comprehensively reviews key principles and facts to provide a clear overview of the interdisciplinary field of stress. The work aims to bring together the disciplines of neurobiology, physiology, immunology, psychology and psychiatry, to provide a reference source for both the non-clinical and clinical expert, as well as serving as an introductory text for novices in this field of scientific inquiry.Part 2 treats the complexity of short-term and long-term regulation of stress responsivity, the role of stress in psychiatric disorders as based on both preclinical and clinical evidence, and the current status with regard to new therapeutic strategies targetting stress-related disorders.

Neuroscientists found that chronic stress and cortisol can trigger long-term changes in brain structure and connectivity in individuals and emphasize the importance of reducing stressful factors in one’s daily life. Early exposure to stressful events can make a person more vulnerable to anxiety and other mood disorders later in their lifetime. Those who take active steps to reduce their stress through various means such as physical activity or therapy can reduce the negative long-term effects on the brain. Chronic Stress and Its Effect on Brain Structure and Connectivity is an essential reference source that presents current information on chronic stress management, the impact of mass media coverage on the human mind, and the effects of post-traumatic stress. Featuring research on topics such as the neurophysiological basis of moods, trauma, quantum cognition, mental health, therapy, and neurobiology, this book is ideally designed for mental health professionals, neuroscientists, neurologists, psychiatrists, researchers, and therapists.

Can traumatic life events cause depression? Studies generally point to a connection between adverse life events and depression. However, establishing a causal rather than associative connection, the key concern of this book, is more problematic. What neurobiological changes may be induced by stress and depression, and to what extent do these changes correspond? The authors structure their examination around three major themes: the pathophysiological role of stress in depression; whether or not a subtype of depression exists that is particularly stress-inducible; and, finally, how best to diagnose and treat depression in relation to its biological underpinnings.

The Handbook of Stress and the Brain focuses on the impact of stressful events on the functioning of the central nervous system; how stress affects molecular and cellular processes in the brain, and in turn, how these brain processes determine our perception of and reactivity to, stressful challenges - acutely and in the long-run. Written for a broad scientific audience, the Handbook comprehensively reviews key principles and facts to provide a clear overview of the interdisciplinary field of stress. The work aims to bring together the disciplines of neurobiology, physiology, immunology, psychology and psychiatry, to provide a reference source for both the non-clinical and clinical expert, as well as serving as an introductory text for novices in this field of scientific inquiry. Part 1 addresses basic aspects of the neurobiology of the stress response including the involvement of neuropeptide, neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter systems and its corollaries regarding gene expression and behavioural processes such as cognition, motivation and emotionality. Part 2 treats the complexity of short-term and long-term regulation of stress responsivity, the role of stress in psychiatric disorders as based on both preclinical and clinical evidence, and the current status with regard to new therapeutic strategies targetting stress-related disorders. * Provides an overview of recent advances made in stress research * Includes timely discussion of stress and its effect on the immune system * Presents novel treatment strategies targeting brain processes involved in stress processing and coping mechanisms

The experience of fear and stress leaves an indelible trace on the brain. This indelible trace is observed as both changes in behavior and changes in neuronal structure and function. Fear and stress interact on many levels. The experience of stress may lead to the formation of a fearful memory trace of a place or reminder cue, and fearful memory formation is regulated by the extent of concurrent stress. The concurrent experience of fear and stress may amplify fear and slow fear extinction which may lead to pathology. Fear memory formation involves changes in synaptic plasticity while stress and glucocorticoids change neuronal structure. Thus, both neurons and synapses are changed. These changes can be identified, visualised and mapped within focused microcircuits. In this Research Topic we focus on current advances in both the neurobiology and behavioral consequences of fear and stress.

This is an authoritative guide to the effects of stress on brain health, with a collection of articles that reflect the most recent findings in the field. Presents cutting edge findings on the effects of stress on brain health. Examines stress influences on brain plasticity across the lifespan, including links to anxiety, PTSD, and clinical depression. Features contributions by internationally recognized experts in the field of brain health. Serves as an essential reference guide for scholars and advanced students.

Our brains are hardwired to worry, but we can learn to worry less. Modern stresses have as much to do with what we think about as what happens to us. Yet in a world of information overload and numerous demands on our time, it can be hard to keep our anxious thoughts in check. The Worry Solution teaches you how to relieve stress and anxiety by training your imagination. Using the very latest findings from neuroscience combined with simple techniques, this acclaimed guide will help you re-programme the conversation between the thinking and feeling parts of your brain. Discover how to significantly reduce worry and anxiety, and enhance your confidence and happiness for the rest of your life.