Psychoneuroendocrinology The Scientific Basis of Clinical Practice

The mind-body connection is one of the hottest topics in medicine today, documented by enormous amounts of data regarding hormone effects on the brain and behavior. Yet it is only now—with the debut of this thought-provoking volume—that we find an up-to-date, sophisticated reference that focuses on the clinical relevance of behavioral endocrinology and is written for practicing clinicians and researchers. This wide-ranging volume shows how the principles and emerging findings of psychoneuroendocrinology can inform modern clinical practice and lead to breakthroughs in future science and practice. Here, leading authorities—internationally respected researchers and practicing clinicians—review the latest empirical findings in their areas of expertise, highlight the clinical significance of these findings, and provide, wherever appropriate, clinical guidelines for treating patients. Meticulously detailed sections are categorized by endocrine system (i.e., peptides, adrenocortical, and gonadal and thyroid hormones), with sections on clinical and laboratory assessments and on the role of stress in susceptibility to disease. In each section, chapters address hormone changes in that are seen in psychiatric illnesses, psychiatric manifestations of endocrine disease, and behavioral effects of hormones. Designed for both clinician and researcher-scientist, this richly informative guide will also prove an invaluable addition to graduate courses in neuroscience, neuroendocrinology, the biological basis of behavior, and consultation psychiatry. Neuroscientists/neurologists, endocrinologists, obstetrician/gynecologists, internists, family practitioners, nurses, and interested laypersons round out the wide audience for this remarkable volume.