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South
Africa has high rates of psychological trauma, risky
behaviours such as substance abuse and unprotected
sex, and related problems such as crime and neuro-
HIV/AIDS. Further, there may be complex interactions between particular genes,
early environmental adversity, emotional dysregulation, and the development of
psychiatric and substance abuse disorders. New insights into the human brain,
driven by developments in methods such as brain imaging, are widening the
understanding of the relevant psychobiological mechanisms. UCT researchers
across various disciplines are spearheading unique approaches that could lead to
improved diagnosis and better defined points of prevention and intervention.