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Lauren Jackson

Kevin Ratliff

ISM 1

15 October 2019

Works Cited

Goldapple, K. (2004, January 01). Modulation of Cortical-Limbic Pathways in Major

Depression. Retrieved from ​https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/481941

Research Assessment #5

The article I read this week provided a detailed analysis of changes associated with

cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The authors state that through experimentation, reciprocal

limbic increases and cortical decreases were identified following successful treatment with

CBT (Goldapple). A significant fact within the article is that “the metabolic change seen with

resolution of depressive symptoms following CBT provides tentative neural correlates of the

long-theorized psychological or top-down mechanisms that mediate CBT response” (Goldapple).

By utilizing the results of the randomized clinical trial provided in this article, I can gain a deeper

understanding of how CBT can rewire the brain.

An important area of focus in the field of psychology is the difference between medical

and psychotherapy treatment. There is currently a debate as to whether or not medication is

prescribed too hastily before a client goes through therapy. This article explores the differences

between the two, addressing important areas of concern. Frontal and parietal decreases and

hippocampal increases are seen with CBT response, along with decreases in ventral lateral

prefrontal cortex (Goldapple). The significance behind this is that while paroxetine
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(antidepressant) and CBT see opposite increases and decreases in certain parts of the brain, both

produce the increased regional glucose metabolism. This implies that depression is just as much

complex in the physical makes it leaves as in the psychological makes it leaves.

A lot of the neuroscience behind CBT was an aspect of the treatment where I was lacking

knowledge. However, this article gave me diagrams, images, and specific details that depict how

all of the different parts of the brain fit together. In order to fully assess the effectiveness of CBT,

I will need to have a strong background in the research already completed in regards to the topic.

Additionally, this article has provided evidence that portrays how psychotherapy and medication

can both have positive impacts on the brain.

The next topic that I want to research based on my findings is how other psychotherapy

methods of treatment impact the brain. I am curious to see if they exemplify a similar process of

healing. If all psychotherapeutic treatments could lead to large healing, I believe that more

research into this topic would be crucial to the foundation of this field.

One aspect of the experiment that I found was lacking was that in one test group, it was

only composed of males. I believe that in future experiments in order to maintain a sense of

credibility in the results, it is important to test both sexes. By testing both sexes, researchers can

come to conclusions that best benefit the most amount of members in society.

The information I have gathered from this article has inspired an idea for my original

work. I would like to create an infographic comparing the differences between a healthy brain,

the brain of someone with a mental illness, a brain after CBT, and a brain after medication. I

believe that through this I will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of different treatments and

how CBT compares to medication such as antidepressants.