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Neuropsychological Disorder

This week, you will analyze a neuropsychological disorder that is different from the topic you chose for your Final Project. Select a neuropsychological disorder from the following list, which is based on the DSM-5:

1. Schizophrenia
2. Major depressive disorder
3. Anxiety
   • Choose and focus on one of the anxiety disorders, e.g., generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder.
4. Post-traumatic stress disorder
5. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
6. Substance use disorder (substance abuse and addiction)
   • Provide both an overview of this topic plus a focus on a single drug of your choice.
7. Neurodevelopmental disorder (autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder)
8. Neurocognitive disorder
   • Choose and focus on one of the neurocognitive disorders, e.g., one of the dementias.
9. Neurological disorder
   • Choose and focus on one neurological disorder, e.g., multiple sclerosis, spina bifida.
10. Sleep-wake disorder
    • Choose and focus on one of the sleep-wake disorders.
11. Feeding and eating disorder
    • Choose and focus on one of the feeding and eating disorders.
12. Sexual dysfunction or gender dysphoria
    • Choose and focus on one of the conditions in these categories.
13. Other neuropsychosocial disorder
    • This option must be approved in advance by the instructor before your assignment is submitted.

After choosing a disorder, your assignment should include an examination of the following factors as they relate to your selected disorder:   

• A description of the pathological features and clinical criteria for diagnosis
• The biopsychological theories of the pathology
• Nervous system structure(s), neurotransmitter(s), receptor(s), and pathways implicated in the disorder
• Possible causes (etiology), including genetic, environmental, familial, lifestyle, and other identifiable risk factors
• Epidemiology of the disorder (demographics of those affected)
• Clinical presentation and natural history of the condition
• Potential complications (neurologic, psychiatric, and other medical or nonmedical)
• Current treatment options (pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic)
• Future directions for research and clinical management

In keeping with the focus of this class, the emphasis of your paper will be on the following neuroscience aspects of the disorder:

• Theories of etiology (causes)
• Associated factors in development of the disorder (genetic, environmental, familial, lifestyle)
• Pathology (abnormalities of physical structure and function, including genetic and biochemical aspects)
• Treatment options (pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic, with rationales for use based on current understanding of the disorder)
• Diagnostic and research technologies employed in clinical diagnosis, care, and basic science research  

Your assignment must include an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement as well as a conclusion summarizing your synthesis of the above issues relating to the disorder. Your paper must be three to four double-spaced pages (excluding title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Utilize a minimum of three to four scholarly sources that are documented in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Your research will be used to provide references that contribute evidence-based information regarding the biologic and psychological features of the disorder. You may cite and reference your textbook and other course materials; however, these will not fulfill the resource requirement.  Carefully review the Grading Rubric  (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.