According to this link, Mind, neuroscience makes no distinction between the mind and the brain.    I think this is a relatively recent development as the neurological correlates of the mind are beginning to be identified and studied. Neuroscience is one of the hard sciences that involves the collaborative work of neurologists, neuropsychiatrists and neuropsychologists. Although it is largely a field of multidiciplinary research, it's influence on the nature of the practices of general psychiatry is reflected in changes in nomenclature of inpatient psychiatry units, especially at large, research medical facilities.   For example, the inpatient psychiatric section at UNC Hospitals was renamed the UNC Neurosciences Hospital when it underwent major renovations in the mid and late 1990's.

Here is a Standard dictionary definition of the mind.

Perhaps the mind can be viewed as representing the synthesis of the sum total of the functions of the brain that relate to consciousness.

I am reluctant to use the terms mind and brain interchangeably.   I am even reluctant to think of the mind as the product of the brain. Synthesis sounds less threatening to my beliefs and assumptions about the specialness of being human.   I don't know enough about the available research to have an informed opinion. I have a visceral aversion to the idea that my mind is nothing BUT biology, vs. enabled by biology.   That aversion can skew any analysis I might be inclined to do on the available research, especially if i am unaware that I have this emotional reaction to the the mere idea.



The following link is a more technical description and discussion of the amagdyla. The amagdyla is very instrumental to emotional learning and the storing of emotional memories.   http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Amagdyla

As Ivor noted upthread, much of the work of perception happens in the brain/mind. And that work is all interpretive. Emotions can, and usually do, play a strong part in our interpretations of much of the information entering the brain through the senses.

Janie