Biological psychiatry, sometimes called psychiatric neuroscience, concerns itself with scientific research and clinical observation of psychopathologies. Incredible advances in molecular biology, genomics, pharmacology and neuroscience mean that more is known about the biological basis of behaviour and mental illness than ever before. This translates directly to improved diagnoses and disease management as well as better-targeted therapeutics. In fact, biological psychiatric research focuses on psychopharmacological interventions derived from biochemical hypotheses of mental disorders.

Biological Psychiatry covers basic principles and then delves deeper into various disorders. Structured to follow the organisation of the DSM-IV, psychiatry's primary diagnostic and classification guide, the contributions explore functional neuroanatomy, imaging and neuropsychology and pharmacotherapeutic possibilities for depressive, anxiety and mood disorders, substance abuse and eating disorders, schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, and cognitive and personality disorders.

The world's leading psychiatrists, neurologists, neuroscientists, pharmacologists have contributed to this important work, the most comprehensive ever compiled.