English for Psychologists. 20 articles to expand professional vocabulary. Оксана Вячеславовна Иванова
such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, play a crucial role in emotional regulation:
Dopamine: Involved in reward processing and positive mood regulation.
Serotonin: Regulates mood, sleep, and appetite.
Norepinephrine: Facilitates alertness, focus, and energy.
Structural and Functional Connectivity
The strength of connections between different brain regions is crucial for emotional regulation. For instance, stronger connections between the PFC and amygdala promote enhanced cognitive control. Likewise, reduced connectivity between the amygdala and hippocampus may impair contextualization and lead to overreactions to emotional stimuli.
Intervention and Treatment Strategies
Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of emotional regulation has implications for intervention and treatment strategies. Techniques such as mindfulness meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) have been shown to enhance emotional regulation skills.
Conclusion
Neurobiological research has provided valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying emotional regulation. By understanding the neural circuits, neurotransmitters, and connectivity involved, psychologists can develop more effective strategies to help individuals manage their emotions and promote mental well-being.
WORDLIST:
– Emotional regulation – Регуляция эмоций
– An essential skill – Базовый навык
– To shed light – Пролить свет
– Underpin emotional regulation – Поддерживать регуляцию эмоций
– Neural circuits – Нейронные цепи
– Prefrontal cortex – Префронтальная кора
– Decision-making – Принятие решений
– Impulsive behavior – Импульсивное поведение
– Amygdala – Миндалевидное тело
– Hippocampus – Гиппокамп
– Memory consolidation – Консолидация памяти
– Insula – Островковая доля
– Detects bodily changes – Определяет изменения в ntkt
– Play a crucial role – Играет важную роль
– Facilitates alertness – Помогает сохранять
бдительность
– Structural and functional connectivity – Структурная
– функциональная связь
– Promote enhanced cognitive control – Способствует
более эффективному когнитивному контролю
– Likewise – Аналогичным образом
– Overreactions to emotional stimuli – Чрезмерная реакция на эмоциональные стимулы
– Transcranial magnetic stimulation —
Транскраниальная магнитная стимуляция
UNIT 4
Investigating cognitive functioning in psychotic disorders
Introduction:
Psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are characterized by profound alterations in thinking, perception, and behavior. Impaired cognitive functioning is a core symptom that significantly impacts the daily lives of individuals with these disorders. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these cognitive deficits is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Neurocognitive Deficits:
Individuals with psychotic disorders exhibit a range of cognitive deficits, including:
Attention and executive function: Difficulty sustaining attention, inhibiting impulses, and planning complex tasks.
Memory: Impaired short-term and long-term memory, particularly for episodic and semantic information.
Processing speed: Slowed information processing and reaction times.
Language: Reduced verbal fluency, impaired comprehension, and difficulty with social communication.
Neurobiological Basis:
The underlying neurobiological mechanisms of cognitive deficits in psychotic disorders are complex and multifaceted. They involve alterations in brain structure, function, and neurochemical systems.
Brain structure: Reduced brain volume, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala.
Brain function: Abnormal patterns of brain activity, such as hyperactivity in certain regions and hypoactivity in others.
Neurochemical systems: Dysregulation of dopamine, glutamate, and GABA neurotransmitter systems.
Assessment of Cognitive Functioning:
Assessing cognitive functioning in psychotic disorders is essential for diagnosis, treatment planning, and monitoring progress. Standardized neuropsychological batteries are commonly used to measure a wide range of cognitive domains. These batteries can provide a comprehensive profile of cognitive strengths and weaknesses.
Implications for Treatment:
Understanding cognitive deficits in psychotic disorders has important implications for treatment. Cognitive remediation therapy aims to improve cognitive functioning through targeted exercises and training programs. These therapies have shown promise in improving attention, memory, and executive function.
Future Directions:
Ongoing research is investigating the genetic, environmental, and neurodevelopmental factors that contribute to cognitive deficits in psychotic disorders. Advanced neuroimaging
techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), are providing new insights into the neural processes underlying these cognitive impairments.
Conclusion:
Investigating cognitive functioning in psychotic disorders is crucial for understanding the nature and severity of these impairments. By elucidating the neurobiological basis of cognitive deficits, we can develop more effective interventions to improve the quality of life for individuals with these conditions.
WORDLIST:
– psychotic