Neuroplasticity in Psychopathological Disorders: A Review

Abstract

Advancements in the field of neuroscience confirm that the brain possesses an ability to alter both its structure, as well as its functioning. While neuropsychological investigations have made salient the neurological underpinnings and consequences of psychological disorders, the specific role of this ability of the brain (termed as neuroplasticity) has received less attention. The present study reviews previous works on the connections between neuroplasticity and psychopathology, summarizing the neuroplastic changes that accompany (or antedate) anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia, posttraumatic stress disorder, and eating disorders. Neurochemicals involved in these neuroplastic processes, as well as the potential implications of these processes on treatment of disorders, are also explored.