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Mawrtyr2008's picture

Article on Systematic Models

I just found an interesting looking article called Interfaces: Toward a New Generation of Systemic Models in Family Research and Practice by Carlos E. Sluzki. I've only skimmed the first few pages, but it looks good. It talks about great thinkers who have tried to tie neuroscience, genetics, the mind, and the social world together, more specifically referring to Engel's bio-psycho-social model and Kandel's "principles for an integration between mind and brain"

I'd like to add to this that when reading the article more thoroughly, for some strange reason, it struck me as extremely peculiar that physical changes in the structure of the brain that result from changes in synaptic connections between neurons are ultimately regulated by differential gene expression. I've studied genetics, neurobiology, and some developmental biology, but that point has never been driven home to me before that changes in the behavior results from changes in the brain which results from changes in synaptic connections which results from changes in gene expression.

Perhaps it's because professors assume that it's implied that gene expression changes result in this complex process, but for some reason it piqued my interest. I couldn't help wondering if this lack of incorporation of genetic regulation in the study of neurobiology leads in part to the distinction between brain and body in many people's minds.

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