Understanding the Brain and Psychological Disorders

• The brain is made up of 100 billion nerve cells, called neurons, and thousands of billions of support cells, called glia.
• Within the brain, large groups of neurons form distinct areas, or brain regions.
• One area of the brain that is particularly associated with psychological disorders is the cortex. The cortex is the outer layer of the brain, and it is responsible for control of important functions, including emotions and memory.
• Clinical researchers have discovered connections between certain psychological disorders and problems in specific areas of the brain. One such disorder is Huntington’s disease, which is marked by violent emotional outbursts, memory loss, suicidal thinking, involuntary body movements, and absurd beliefs.
• Loss of cells in the basal ganglia and cortex is thought to be responsible for Huntington’s disease.

Test your knowledge of the brain's structure and its association with psychological disorders such as Huntington’s disease. Learn about the role of neurons, glia, brain regions, and the cortex in controlling emotions and memory, as well as the impact of cell loss in specific areas on psychological disorders.