The social environment has an enormous influence in altering behavior, neuroendocrine function, immune system activity, and cardiovascular and metabolic function. Improving the social environment has an enormous and unrealized potential for altering brain function and systemic physiology to improve physical and mental health and to prevent or slow the course of disease.
This volume presents articles stemming from the 90th Annual Conference of the Association for Research in Nervous and Mental Disease, which focused on the advances in our understanding of gene–environment interactions and their impact on the functioning of the body and mind. The volume aims to advance knowledge of the neural bases underlying positive and adverse social interactions and the impact of these social experiences on the brain and body. A broad range of topics is covered, from fear conditioning to the implementation of treatment strategies in the workplace. The volume also highlights the implications of social experiences and stress on basic neuroscience and physiology, and the potential translational nature of such findings to the clinic and general public.
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About the Author
Bruce Sherman McEwen is an American neuroendocrinologist and head of the Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology at Rockefeller University. He is known for his work on the effects of environmental and psychological stress, having coined the term allostatic load. Huda Akil is the editor of Social Neuroscience: Gene, Environment, Brain, Body, Volume 1231, published by Wiley.
