| 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 |