A member asked:

If neurologists can determine the presence of neurologic diseases by inspecting the brain, can psychiatrists recognize mental illness by inspecting the brains of mentally-ill people?

Q: if neurologists can determine the presence of neurologic diseases by inspecting the brain, can psychiatrists recognize mental illness by inspecting the brains of mentally-ill people?

: Not all neurological conditions have anatomical changes in the brain to make the diagnosis. Most mental illness is due to abnormal neural signaling in the brain which does not change the anatomy so detection by anatomical description cannot be done. The cause of most mental illness is still a mystery but is the subject of significant research.

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Dr. Richard Bensinger answered

Not all neurological conditions have anatomical changes in the brain to make the diagnosis. Most mental illness is due to abnormal neural signaling in the brain which does not change the anatomy so detection by anatomical description cannot be done. The cause of most mental illness is still a mystery but is the subject of significant research.

Answered 7/18/2023

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A member asked:

If neurologists can determine the presence of neurologic diseases by inspecting the brain, can psychiatrists recognize mental illness by inspecting the brains of mentally-ill people?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Dr. Richard Bensinger answered

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