Biological Risk Factors for Psychosocial Disorders

It has been known for many years that physical disease or damage, especially of the brain, are associated with an increased risk for psychosocial disorders. However, the understanding of the mechanisms involved in these biological risk processes, and of the marked individual differences in response, is of much more recent origin. The role of genetic factors, perinatal brain damage, sex hormones, allergy, drugs and language disorder, are among the topics selected to illustrate the wide range of mechanisms involved in the development of psychosocial disorders in childhood or later life. Authors were asked to write for a multidisciplinary audience, to adopt a lifespan approach, to focus on the principles involved, and to highlight the outstanding research and clinical issues in each field. The result is a readable and highly authoritative overview of the factors responsible for a wide range of behavioural and psychological problems. It is a book which will interest practitioners and research workers in many developmental disciplines, particularly child health and paediatrics, neurology, psychology and psychiatry.

Spis treści:
List of contributors
Foreword
Preface
Structural abnormalities of the brain in developmental disorders G. Lyon and J.-F. Gadisseux
Developmental disorders and structural brain development R. Goodman
Relation between maturation of neurotransmitter systems in the human brain and psychosocial disorders D. Swaab
Chromosomal abnormalities M. Pembrey
Genetic risk and psychosocial disorders, links between the normal and abnormal R. Plomin
Pre- and perinatal risk factors for psychosocial development P. Casaer
Metabolic/endocrine disorders and psychological functioning P. Fuggle and P. Graham
Toxins and allergens E. Taylor
The long-term psychosocial sequelae of specific developmental disorders of speech and language M. Rutter and L. Mawhood
Reproductive hormones J. Bancroft
Epilepsy and anticonvulsive drugs H.-C. Steinhawsen and C. Rauss-Mason
Biological risk mechanisms, some concepts and issues M. Rutter.