Аннотация:This paper examines briefly three areas of possible enquiry at the interface between psychoanalysis and the neurosciences. It concentrates on the second of these areas, dealing in detail with the essential role that postnatal stimulation (maternal or otherwise) plays in early life, in combination with embryological-anatomical forces in brain organization, maturation, and development. It goes on to describe, by way of examples, four identifiable biological mechanisms known to be involved in these processes (i.e., increased dendritization, vascularization, myelinization, and hormonal and enzymatic changes that affect brain development and its final "quality"). It explores the close and constant interplay between postnatal external stimulation, brain development, learning and the organization of the "mind" (and ego functions), and brain functions such as vision, as essential to acquiring the best brain structure possible, capable of functioning at a great degree of efficiency. In so doing, it highlights the essential organizational role of external stimulation as usually contained in mother-child interactions. Many relevant clinical examples are offered as the arguments are developed.
