We are conscious of only a small fraction of our lives. Because the
brain constantly receives an enormous quantity of information, we need
to be able to do things without thinking about them--to act in
"autopilot" mode. Automatic behaviors--the vast majority of our
activities--occur without our conscious awareness, or subconsciously.
Yet the physiological basis of subconsciousness remains poorly
understood, despite its vast importance for physical and mental health.
The neurodegenerative disease expert Yves Agid offers a groundbreaking
and accessible account of subconsciousness and its significance. He
pinpoints the basal ganglia--the ancient "basement of the brain"--as the
main physiological hub of the subconscious. Agid examines its roles in
the control and production of automatic behavior, including motor,
intellectual, and emotional processes. He highlights the consequences
for various brain pathologies, showing how malfunctions of the
subconscious have clinical repercussions including not only abnormal
involuntary movements, as seen in Parkinson's disease, but also
psychiatric disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorders and
depression. Based on this understanding, Agid considers how seeing the
basal ganglia as a therapeutic target can aid development of potential
new treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Shedding new light on the physiological bases of our behavior and mental
states, this book provides an innovative exploration of the complexities
of the mind, with implications ranging from clinical applications to
philosophy's thorniest problems.
