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Related Concept Videos

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder01:28

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by recurrent obsessions, compulsions, or both, which consume significant time and interfere with daily functioning. Obsessions involve persistent, intrusive, and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that evoke anxiety. Common examples include irrational fears of contamination or harm. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions. For instance, individuals...
Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder01:29

Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder

The development of psychological disorders, which are characterized by deviant, maladaptive, and personally distressing behaviors, has been explored through several theoretical approaches.
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...
Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders01:27

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within the...
Disorders of the Nervous Tissue01:28

Disorders of the Nervous Tissue

Nervous tissue is a vital component of the human body's communication system, enabling us to perceive and respond to stimuli. However, like all other tissues, it is vulnerable to disorders and diseases that can significantly impact our neurological functioning.
Homeostatic Imbalances:
Alzheimer's disease manifests as a gradual decline in memory and cognitive abilities, attributed to the buildup of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
Parkinson's disease arises from the...
Biological Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Biological Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric disorder, arises from a complex interplay of biological factors, including genetic predisposition, structural brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and developmental irregularities. These factors collectively contribute to the onset and progression of the disorder, which typically manifests in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
Introduction to Psychological Disorders01:19

Introduction to Psychological Disorders

Abnormal behavior, often referred to as mental illness, results from changes in brain function that influence thought patterns, behaviors, and social interactions. Psychologists and psychiatrists typically assess abnormal behavior using three primary criteria: deviance, maladaptation, and personal distress, particularly when these traits persist over long periods.
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
09:14

Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: March 14, 2025

Conversion disorder: towards a neurobiological understanding.

Samuel B Harvey1, Biba R Stanton, Anthony S David

  • 1Department of Psychological Medicine, Section of Neuropsychiatry, P068, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom. s.harvey@iop.kcl.ac.uk

Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
|May 5, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Conversion disorders link psychological stress to physical symptoms. Neurobiological research suggests frontal and limbic brain activity may inhibit sensory processing, causing these neurological disabilities.

Keywords:
SPECTconversion disorderfMRIfunctional imaginghysterianeurophysiology

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Signal Attenuation as a Rat Model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
09:14

Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: March 14, 2025

Signal Attenuation as a Rat Model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
09:29

Signal Attenuation as a Rat Model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Published on: January 9, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Conversion disorders are a frequent cause of neurological disability.
  • The underlying mechanisms and diagnostic controversies persist.
  • Understanding the neurobiology is crucial for improved diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current research on the neurobiological underpinnings of conversion disorders.
  • To explore the neural basis of how psychological stress manifests as physical symptoms.
  • To discuss conceptual challenges and future directions in the field.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing neurobiological research on conversion disorders.
  • Analysis of studies examining evoked responses and functional imaging.
  • Discussion of findings related to brain activity in sensory and motor pathways.

Main Results:

  • Sensory conversion symptoms show normal primary/secondary somatosensory cortex responses but reduced P300 potentials, indicating impaired conscious processing.
  • Functional imaging studies, despite limitations, suggest frontal-limbic activation impacting basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits.
  • This may lead to deficits in conscious sensory or motor processing.

Conclusions:

  • A neurobiological hypothesis suggests emotional stress activates frontal-limbic areas, potentially inhibiting thalamocortical circuits and causing conversion symptoms.
  • Further research with larger, controlled studies is needed.
  • Improved understanding of conversion disorder mechanisms can inform theories of attention and volition.