| Title & Author | Abstract | |
|---|---|---|
| 4(09) | FRONTAL LOBE DYSFUNCTION IN MENTAL ILLNESS
Target Article by Abbruzzese et al. on Frontal-Cortex Massimo Abbruzzese, Stefano Ferri, Laura Bellodi & Silvio Scarone Psychiatric Branch Department of Biomedical and Technological Sciences University of Milan Medical School and IRCCS H S Raffaele Milano, 20127 Italy MACCIAF@IMIHSRA.bitnet |
Abstract:
Much converging evidence suggests that a specific
role is played by the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPC) in
schizophrenic disorders and by the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In this study, 25
schizophrenic and 25 OCD patients were evaluated with the Wisconsin
Card Sorting Test and the Object Alternation Test, tests that are
sensitive to DLPC and OFC damage, respectively. The patients were
also given the Weigl Sorting Test and Word Fluency Test to assess
global frontal functioning. The results point to a DLPC deficit in
schizophrenia and an OFC lability in OCD and confirm that
functional disorders of the central nervous system can be
investigated using neuropsychological methods.
Keywords: cognitive disorder, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, mental disorder, neuropsychology, obsessive-compulsive disorder, orbitofrontal cortex, psychosis, schizophrenia. |
| 4(15) | FRONTAL CORTEX, THE MIND, AND THE BODY
Commentary on Abbruzzeze et al. on Frontal-Cortex E.J. Neafsey Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy Loyola University Medical Center 2160 S. First Avenue Maywood, IL 60153 USA KEYWORDS: cognitive disorder, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, mental disorder, neuropsychology, obsessive-compulsive disorder, orbitofrontal cortex, psychosis, schizophrenia. eneafsey@lucpug.it.luc.edu |
Abstract:
The fundamental problem with attempting to understand
frontal cortical function using the computer-inspired,
functionalist models of contemporary cognitive science is that such
models are by definition "disembodied." As a result, the brain as
well as the mind tends to become disembodied, even "ghostly," in
the traditional, dualistic, Cartesian fashion, (Ryle [1949/1984]
notwithstanding). Far better are attempts rooted in the views of
Hughlings Jackson, for whom the brain from "bottom to top" never
lost its fundamental and basic bodily orientation. Human beings
think and know in an inescapably and inherently bodily manner, even
at the "highest levels" of the prefrontal cortex. As Gleick (1992)
notes in his biography of Richard Feynman, the physicist legendary
for his intuitive understanding of the abstract and unimaginable
theories of quantum mechanics, "Those who watched Feynman in
moments of intense concentration came away with a strong, even
disturbing sense of the physicality of the process, as though his
brain did not stop with the gray matter but extended through every
muscle in his body."
Keywords: cognitive disorder, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, mental disorder, neuropsychology, obsessive-compulsive disorder, orbitofrontal cortex, psychosis, schizophrenia. |
| 4(32) | DECOMPOSING THE CORPUS OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS
Commentary on Abbruzzese et al. on Frontal-Cortex L. Henderson & W. Dittrich University of Hertfordshire School of Health & Human Sciences, Psychology Hatfield AL10 9B, England Psyqwhd@vms3.herts.ac.uk W.H.Dittrich@cen.exeter.ac.uk |
Abstract:
This commentary has had two primary concerns: We have
attempted to address the difficulties and possibilities of
using cognitive tests to measure the underlying biological
basis for mental disorders. In particular, we have argued that
to understand and interpret test results in psychiatry
appropriate models of cognitive brain operations on a
process-analytic level rather than on a psychometric level are
essential. We have also discussed particular results of
Abbruzzese et al.'s study, pointing out alternative
interpretations of their perseveration results and some
preconditions for demonstrating a true double dissociation.
Rather than proceeding from the assumption of a unitary disease
entity, we prefer to view "schizophrenia" as heterogeneous in
its neuropathological and cognitive processing substrates,
reflected in Bleuler's term "the schizophrenias."
Keywords: cognitive disorder, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, mental disorder, neuropsychology, obsessive-compulsive disorder, orbitofrontal cortex, psychosis, schizophrenia. |
| 4(43) | IS IT POSSIBLE TO STUDY BRAIN-MIND RELATIONSHIPS IN PSYCHIATRY?
Reply to Neafsey and Henderson & Dittrich on Frontal-Cortex Silvio Scarone & Massimo Abbruzzese Psychiatric Branch University of Milan Medical School and DSNP H S Raffaele Via Prinetti 29, 20127 Milano Italy gambino@imihsra.bitnet |
Abstract:
Neafsey organizes his discussion from an
anatomical/functional point of view while Henderson & Dittrich's
commentary deals mainly with the problem of the mutual
relationships between functions and structures. We address each of
their critcisms individually.
Keywords: cognitive disorder, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, mental disorder, neuropsychology, obsessive-compulsive disorder, orbitofrontal cortex, psychosis, schizophrenia. |