Bridge between Brain and Mind / 신경정신의학

ABSTRACT

Mental functions, both normal and abnormal, are closely related to the brain function. On the other hand, it is also true that postnatal education and personal experiences could change the brain activities both chemically and physiologically and structurally. However, the relationships between the brain and mind are far from clear understanding, even though a variety of advanced knowledges and techniques, including brain imagings, neurochemistry and neuropsychopharmacology, and basic neurosciences, are at hands of scientists. In this special issue, the 5 psychiatrists took parts in elucidating the relationship between brain and mind from the point of cause of and therapeutic intervention for mental illnesses: 1) mental illness: disease of mind? 2) mental illness: disease of brain? 3) the role of biological interventions in mind 4) effect of psychological treatment: through brain change? and 5) effect of psychotherapy: through emotional growth?