scholarly journals Transdiagnostic neuroimaging markers of psychiatric risk: a narrative review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Vanes ◽  
Raymond J Dolan

Several decades of neuroimaging research in psychiatry have shed light on structural and functional neural abnormalities associated with individual psychiatric disorders. However, there is increasing evidence for substantial overlap in the patterns of neural dysfunction seen across disorders, suggesting that risk for psychiatric illness may be shared across diagnostic boundaries. In this narrative review, we first evaluate recent studies investigating the neural correlates of a general psychopathology factor, thought to reflect the shared variance across common mental health symptoms. We then link insights from this research to meta-analytic evidence for shared patterns of neural dysfunction across categorical psychiatric disorders. We conclude by providing an integrative account of vulnerability to mental illness that focuses on neurodevelopmental abnormalities in the context of brain connectivity.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 234
Author(s):  
Marina de Tommaso ◽  
Eleonora Vecchio ◽  
Silvia Giovanna Quitadamo ◽  
Gianluca Coppola ◽  
Antonio Di Renzo ◽  
...  

A neuronal dysfunction based on the imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory cortical-subcortical neurotransmission seems at the basis of migraine. Intercritical neuronal abnormal excitability can culminate in the bioelectrical phenomenon of Cortical Spreading Depression (CSD) with secondary involvement of the vascular system and release of inflammatory mediators, modulating in turn neuronal activity. Neuronal dysfunction encompasses the altered connectivity between the brain areas implicated in the genesis, maintenance and chronic evolution of migraine. Advanced neuroimaging techniques allow to identify changes in functional connectivity (FC) between brain areas involved in pain processes. Through a narrative review, we re-searched case-control studies on FC in migraine, between 2015 and 2020, by inserting the words migraine, fMRI, EEG, MEG, connectivity, pain in Pubmed. Studies on FC have shown that cortical processes, in the neurolimbic pain network, are likely to be prevalent for triggering attacks, in response to predisposing factors, and that these lead to a demodulation of the subcortical areas, at the basis of migraine maintenance. The link between brain dysfunction and peripheral interactions through the inhibition of CGRP, the main mediator of sterile migraine inflammation needs to be further investigated. Preliminary evidence could suggest that peripheral nerves inference at somatic and trigeminal levels, appears to change brain FC.


1963 ◽  
Vol 109 (463) ◽  
pp. 741-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Bradley

Depressive illness is protean in its manifestations. The symptoms may be primarily psychological, such as misery, indecisiveness, irritability, inability to concentrate, or insomnia. They may be mainly physical, and the patient may present with one or more of a bewildering number of somatic complaints, often blaming those for his change in mood (Watts, 1957). Pain is a common and diagnostically puzzling presenting symptom of depression and other psychiatric disorders (Walters, 1961). It may take the form of generalized or poorly localized aches and pains, often associated with a feeling of tension, or it may be sharply delimited (Critchley, 1935). This form of localized pain may so dominate the symptomatology that the patient is referred by his general practitioner to a variety of specialists, who may perform a series of special investigations or even exploratory operations. Clearly, every effort must be made to exclude organic disease, even if positive signs of psychiatric illness are recognized, as an organic disease can obviously co-exist with a psychiatric one. In spite of thorough investigation, there will remain a proportion of patients in whom no lesion can be found to account for their symptoms.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara A Moreau ◽  
Kuldeep Kumar ◽  
Annabelle Harvey ◽  
Guillaume Huguet ◽  
Sebastian Urchs ◽  
...  

Polygenicity and pleiotropy are key properties of the genomic architecture of psychiatric disorders. An optimistic interpretation of polygenicity is that genomic variants converge on a limited set of mechanisms at some level from genes to behavior. Alternatively, convergence may be minimal or absent. We took advantage of brain connectivity, measured by resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI), as well as rare and common genomic variants to understand the effects of polygenicity and pleiotropy on large-scale brain networks, a distal step from genes to behavior. We processed ten rs-fMRI datasets including 32,988 individuals, to examine connectome-wide effects of 16 copy number variants (CNVs), 10 polygenic scores, 6 cognitive and brain morphometry traits, and 4 idiopathic psychiatric conditions. Although effect sizes of CNVs on connectivity were correlated to cognition and number of genes, increasing polygenicity was associated with decreasing effect sizes on connectivity. Accordingly, the effect sizes of polygenic scores on connectivity were 6-fold lower compared to CNVs. Despite this heterogeneity of connectivity profiles, multivariate analysis identified convergence of genetic risks and psychiatric disorders on the thalamus and the somatomotor network. Based on spatial correlations with transcriptomic data, we hypothesize that excitatory thalamic neurons may be primary contributors to brain alteration profiles shared across genetic risks and conditions. Finally, pleiotropy measured by genetic and transcriptomic correlations between 38 pairs of conditions/traits showed significant concordance with connectomic correlations, suggesting a substantial causal genetic component for shared connectivity. Such findings open avenues to delineate general mechanisms - amenable to intervention - across conditions and genetic risks.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 524-533
Author(s):  
Ruohollah Seddigh ◽  
◽  
Somayeh Azarnik ◽  

Cultural psychiatry is one of the relatively new trends in psychiatry that has received much attention today. During the last century, many Iranian psychiatrists have taken steps to introduce various aspects of cultural psychiatry from the field of epidemiology to the cultural conceptualization of psychiatric disorders. This narrative review article tries to refer to the history of contemporary cultural psychiatry and the efforts have been made in this field by Iranian psychiatrists between 1936 and 2019. It seems that the introduction of these efforts as educational resources to residents and students can help to further explain and develop this area and a deeper understanding of psychiatric disorders. However, there are still shortcomings in documenting, compiling, and integrating these services, which require special attention from researchers in this field.


Author(s):  
Ali Motavalli ◽  
◽  
Javad Mahmoudi ◽  
Alireza Majdi ◽  
Saeed Sadigh-Eteghad ◽  
...  

Although there are numerous views about the concept of consciousness, no consensus exists regarding the meaning. However, with the aid of the latest neuroscientific developments, the misleading obstacles related to consciousness have been removed. Over the last few decades, neuroscientific efforts in determining the function of the brain and merging these findings with philosophical theories, have brought a more comprehensive perception of the notion of consciousness. In addition to metaphysical/ontological views of consciousness e.g., higher-order theories, reflexive theories, and representationalist theories, there are some brain directed topics in this matter which include but not are limited to neural correlates of consciousness (NCC), brain loop connectivity, and lateralization. This narrative review sheds light on cultural and historical aspects of consciousness in old and middle ages and introduces some of the prominent philosophical discussions related to mind and body. Also, it illustrates the correlation of brain function with states of consciousness with a focus on the roles of function and connectivity.


1999 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen J. Frances ◽  
Helen Link Egger

Objective: The aim of this paper is to describe the development of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV), its purposes and limitations, and the psychiatric nosologies which may emerge from advances in psychiatric research and which may supersede the current classification system. Method: A review of the methodology used to develop DSM-IV, considered in the context of current and future psychiatric, neurobiological, and genetic research, was undertaken. Results: The DSM-IV is a descriptive nosology that has shaped psychiatric research and clinical practice by providing agreed-upon definitions of psychiatric disorders based on the current state of empirical data. Despite the critical importance of the DSM system of classification, this complex yet limited nosology will eventually be replaced by simpler, more incisive explanatory models of psychiatric illness that reflect the interplay of biological, psychological, environmental and social variables affecting the expression and treatment of psychiatric disorders. Conclusions: As we continue to understand the pathophysiology of brain disorders, as well as the biological effects of psychiatric interventions, we will be able to move from a descriptive model to an integrative, explanatory model of psychiatric illness.


Author(s):  
Meghamala S. Tavaragi

It has been known that psychiatric disorders are highly prevalent among prisoners. Many people with identifiable psychiatric illness do conflict with the law, often by no fault of their own but because of symptoms of their psychiatric illness and end up in jails. Poor communication between the prison, court, and hospital systems hinders the assessment and management of the mentally disordered offender, and medical intervention can actually delay release from custody. In conclusion Prisons are detrimental to mental-health, and the standards of psychiatric care are significantly lower than those for the general public. Certain remedial measures are to be implemented for a better future of prison and community because ultimately these prisoners will be released from prison and become a part of community. Beginning of reforms is the immediate need as a long journey ahead.


2019 ◽  
pp. 153-176
Author(s):  
Risto Näätänen ◽  
Teija Kujala ◽  
Gregory Light

Psychiatric illnesses including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, and alcohol use disorders are common and leading causes of global disability. Conventionally, diagnosis and treatment of these disorders has relied solely on clinicical observation of symptoms and inference of underlying neural dysfunction. Recently, however, technological advances have allowed for direct measurement of brain functioning in these disorders, and there has been increased interest in the exploration of sensory processing deficits involved. In this context, MMN is regarded as a ‘breakthrough biomarker’ for advancing the understanding and treatment of psychiatric illness. As MMN is among the most widely studied translational biomarkers and has already undergone extensive psychometric validation (e.g. reliability, suitability for use as a repeated measure, sensitivity to pharmacologica and non-pharmacological interventions), it is widely used for development of new treatments for brain disorders.


Author(s):  
Meghamala S Tavaragi

It has been known that psychiatric disorders are highly prevalent among prisoners. Many people with identifiable psychiatric illness do conflict with the law, often by no fault of their own but because of symptoms of their psychiatric illness and end up in jails. Poor communication between the prison, court, and hospital systems hinders the assessment and management of the mentally disordered offender, and medical intervention can actually delay release from custody. In conclusion Prisons are detrimental to mental-health, and the standards of psychiatric care are significantly lower than those for the general public. Certain remedial measures are to be implemented for a better future of prison and community because ultimately these prisoners will be released from prison and become a part of community. Beginning of reforms is the immediate need as a long journey ahead.


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