ABSTRACT
Chapter 3 explores the potential of behavioral neuroscience to contribute to the diagnostic and treatment practices of clinicians. Despite the large amount of brain imaging data associated with psychological disorders, applying this knowledge to diagnosis raises significant challenges. Behavioral neuroscience insights relevant to treatments are highlighted. The promise and challenges of using neuroscience-based treatments are discussed, including medication, psychosurgery, deep brain stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), vagus nerve stimulation, transcranial electrical and magnetic stimulation, magnetic seizure therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and virtual reality therapies. The chapter concludes by outlining the implications of a number of areas of neuroscience research relevant to practice, including neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, memory reconsolidation, genetics, epigenetics, sleep, and mirror neurons.
