Trouble in Mind

Psychopharmacology

The Neuropsychologist as Sherlock Holmes

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on May 5, 2014

Neuropsychological research, especially when a patient has a rare disorder, can have more in common with detective work than with psychology or medicine. My case of the man who misplaced his body shows why.

Neuropsychological research, especially when a patient has a rare disorder, can have more in common with detective work than with psychology or medicine. My case of the man who misplaced his body shows why.

Play

The CEO Has Left the Building: Control and the Frontal Lobes

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on April 3, 2014

The frontal lobes are often called the “executive lobes” as they are truly the CEOs of our brain. Without them we can still read, write, talk, travel, play, and carry on with activities that are well learnt, but give us anything novel to do and we are stumped.

The frontal lobes are often called the “executive lobes” as they are truly the CEOs of our brain. Without them we can still read, write, talk, travel, play, and carry on with activities that are well learnt, but give us anything novel to do and we are stumped.

Career

Training for a Career as a Clinical Neuropsychologist

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on January 26, 2014

In response to many e-mail queries from students I have put together some general suggestions (relevant to all countries) on how to decide if clinical neuropsychology is really the career for you, and if so what you can do to find out about the courses you should take. Included are web links to professional societies, and books to read.

In response to many e-mail queries from students I have put together some general suggestions (relevant to all countries) on how to decide if clinical neuropsychology is really the career for you, and if so what you can do to find out about the courses you should take. Included are web links to professional societies, and books to read.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Yes, The Brain Really Is Damaged When Concussed!

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on November 24, 2013

Since the 1970s researchers have been telling us that even a mild head injury can cause physical brain damage, and this is the cause of the symptoms following concussion. New research proves this once again, and will hopefully help to convince those who, after all these decades, still prefer to think that the post-concussional syndrome is all in the mind.

Since the 1970s researchers have been telling us that even a mild head injury can cause physical brain damage, and this is the cause of the symptoms following concussion. New research proves this once again, and will hopefully help to convince those who, after all these decades, still prefer to think that the post-concussional syndrome is all in the mind.

Neuroscience

The Power of One

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on November 18, 2013

Like human faces, every human brain is unique and thus the study of individuals with brain damage can reveal truths about the mind that group studies cannot reveal. And for individuals, the 'power of one' is a strong mantra to hold to when faced with illness or adversity.

Like human faces, every human brain is unique and thus the study of individuals with brain damage can reveal truths about the mind that group studies cannot reveal. And for individuals, the 'power of one' is a strong mantra to hold to when faced with illness or adversity.

Depression

My Brain Is Dead

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on August 5, 2013

In Cotard’s Delusion depressed patients believe part of their body is dead. A recently described case differs from previous cases. Graham insisted his brain was dead, in spite of admitting he could think, although he no longer felt any emotion. PET scans of his brain showed severe under-arousal of a brain area associated with conscious awareness.

In Cotard’s Delusion depressed patients believe part of their body is dead. A recently described case differs from previous cases. Graham insisted his brain was dead, in spite of admitting he could think, although he no longer felt any emotion. PET scans of his brain showed severe under-arousal of a brain area associated with conscious awareness.

Memory

The Story Of Memory And The Man Who Lost It

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on May 10, 2013

For lovers of science, and those who relish a heroic story, this is a book that will stand up to a lifetime of journeys, with every reading providing inspiration and something new to contemplate.

For lovers of science, and those who relish a heroic story, this is a book that will stand up to a lifetime of journeys, with every reading providing inspiration and something new to contemplate.

Wisdom

An Hour with Oliver Sacks and Danielle Ofri

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on April 24, 2013

Watch Oliver Sacks and Danielle Ofri in conversation

Watch Oliver Sacks and Danielle Ofri in conversation

Neuroscience

Creative Writing and Your Brain

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on April 15, 2013

Creative writers often say that their stories -- at least during those precious peak times of creation -- almost seem to write themselves. Neuroscientists have yet to discover how the creative writing process works, but one thing is certain; writing is one of the best and most pleasurable exercises we can do for our brain.

Creative writers often say that their stories -- at least during those precious peak times of creation -- almost seem to write themselves. Neuroscientists have yet to discover how the creative writing process works, but one thing is certain; writing is one of the best and most pleasurable exercises we can do for our brain.

Marriage

Are Affairs Really Worth It?

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on March 2, 2013

“Vow: A Memoir of Marriage” by Wendy Plump is better than any therapy manual because of its insights on how to preserve a long-term relationship by thinking long and hard before falling helter-skelter into an exciting affair.

“Vow: A Memoir of Marriage” by Wendy Plump is better than any therapy manual because of its insights on how to preserve a long-term relationship by thinking long and hard before falling helter-skelter into an exciting affair.

Dementia

Dance So There Is a Tomorrow!

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on February 13, 2013

Dancing, especially freestyle dancing, may be the best thing you can do to keep your brain as well as your body fit and healthy into old age. It also makes you happy!

Dancing, especially freestyle dancing, may be the best thing you can do to keep your brain as well as your body fit and healthy into old age. It also makes you happy!

Career

Multimedia Oliver Sacks Festival for New Yorkers

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on February 3, 2013

Oliver Sacks, the man who made neuropsychology accessible to all, is to be celebrated in an arty festival with something for everyone in New York in April.

Oliver Sacks, the man who made neuropsychology accessible to all, is to be celebrated in an arty festival with something for everyone in New York in April.

Psychosis

The Sacrosanct Second Amendment

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on December 16, 2012

Every heart grieves for the victims and families of the Connecticut shooting, but for many non-US citizens, the Second Amendment to the US Constitution is crazier than any psychotic mass murderer.

Every heart grieves for the victims and families of the Connecticut shooting, but for many non-US citizens, the Second Amendment to the US Constitution is crazier than any psychotic mass murderer.

Students who consider becoming neuropsychologists frequently ask me questions about this career path. Here are my answers.

Law and Crime

Euthanasia: A Good Death?

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on September 26, 2012

The “right to die” debate is always emotional and controversial, and rightly so. Do you dare to think about it in case, one day, it becomes your personal issue?

The “right to die” debate is always emotional and controversial, and rightly so. Do you dare to think about it in case, one day, it becomes your personal issue?

Psychiatry

The Capgras Delusion: "You Are Not My Wife!"

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on August 21, 2012

Brain damage can result a bizarre condition where the patient recognizes people and even places close to him but believes they are imposters.

Brain damage can result a bizarre condition where the patient recognizes people and even places close to him but believes they are imposters.

Chronic Pain

Clearing the Brain of Phantom Pain

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on May 31, 2012

Pain is experienced by the brain and not by the injured body part or phantom limb. Cognitive behavior therapy, visualization of movements, and mirrors can relieve pain suffered by chronic pain patients and amputees who experience painful phantom limbs, by re-programming the brain’s malfunctioning pain control center.

Pain is experienced by the brain and not by the injured body part or phantom limb. Cognitive behavior therapy, visualization of movements, and mirrors can relieve pain suffered by chronic pain patients and amputees who experience painful phantom limbs, by re-programming the brain’s malfunctioning pain control center.

Prosopagnosia

Whose Face Is That?

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on April 15, 2012

Two percent of the healthy population suffer from some degree of prosopagnosia, or face blindness. Prosopagnosia can also result from brain damage, and these rare cases have given us unique insights into how we store our autobiographical memories.

Two percent of the healthy population suffer from some degree of prosopagnosia, or face blindness. Prosopagnosia can also result from brain damage, and these rare cases have given us unique insights into how we store our autobiographical memories.

Traumatic Brain Injury

The Unseen Injury: Post-Concussional Syndrome.

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on April 3, 2012

You don’t have to be knocked out cold to get a concussion. If you get a knock on the head, and you still feel tired and grumpy two weeks afterwards, see your doctor! The post-concussional syndrome can be successfully treated with simple behavioral strategies, but the longer you leave it, the harder it becomes.

You don’t have to be knocked out cold to get a concussion. If you get a knock on the head, and you still feel tired and grumpy two weeks afterwards, see your doctor! The post-concussional syndrome can be successfully treated with simple behavioral strategies, but the longer you leave it, the harder it becomes.

Dementia

The Long Goodbye: Alzheimer’s Disease

Jenni Ogden Ph.D. on March 17, 2012

Alzheimer's Dementia is a cruel disease, and one of the hardest decisions the family have to make is when (or whether) to place the person who no longer shares their memories into a nursing home.

Alzheimer's Dementia is a cruel disease, and one of the hardest decisions the family have to make is when (or whether) to place the person who no longer shares their memories into a nursing home.