Neurochemical Basis

• Behaviour and mental processes are reliant on brain chemicals that transmit messages across billions of neurons in the brain.
• Imbalances of neurotransmitters causes abnormal behaviour.
• Serotonin- inhibitory hormone which inhibits neural impulses, which calms the brain, balancing mood
• Dopamine- excitatory hormone which causes neuron firing, stimulating the brain into action
• Endocrine system- slower communication system than electrical impulses, an imbalance in hormones can impact behaviour, causing abnormal behaviour
• Drug therapies can be used to treat neurochemical imbalances which cause abnormal behaviour.