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A Neural Systems-Based Neurobiology and Neuropsychiatry Course: Integrating Biology, Psychodynamics, and Psychology in the Psychiatric Curriculum

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Abstract

Objective

Psychotherapy and biological psychiatry remain divided in psychiatry residency curricula. Behavioral neurobiology and neuropsychiatry provide a systems-level framework that allows teachers to integrate biology, psychodynamics, and psychology.

Method

The authors detail the underlying assumptions and outline of a neural systems-based neuroscience course they teach at the National Capital Consortium Psychiatry Residency Program. They review course assessment reports and classroom observations.

Results

Self-report measures and teacher observations are encouraging. By the end of the course, residents are able to discuss both neurobiological and psychodynamic/psychological concepts of distributed biological neural networks. They verbalize an understanding that psychology is biology, that any distinction is artificial, and that both are valuable.

Conclusions

A neuroscience curriculum founded on the underlying principles of behavioral neurobiology and neuropsychiatry is inherently anti-reductionistic and facilitates the acquisition of detailed information as well as critical thinking and cross-disciplinary correlations with psychological theories and psychotherapy.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Malcolm Grow Medical Center, 1050 W. Perimeter Road, 4A, SGOHA, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, 20762, USA

    Timothy Lacy M.D.

  2. The National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

    John D. Hughes M.D.

Authors
  1. Timothy Lacy M.D.
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  2. John D. Hughes M.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Timothy Lacy M.D..

Additional information

The views expressed in the paper are those of the authors and do not reflect the views or policies of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.

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Lacy, T., Hughes, J.D. A Neural Systems-Based Neurobiology and Neuropsychiatry Course: Integrating Biology, Psychodynamics, and Psychology in the Psychiatric Curriculum. Acad Psychiatry 30, 410–415 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ap.30.5.410

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ap.30.5.410

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