Basic Learning Mechanisms: Pavlovian Conditioning in Mental Disorders

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Heinz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Pavlovian Conditioning ◽  
Instrumental Behavior ◽  
Psychotic Experiences ◽  
Learning Mechanisms ◽  
Addictive Disorders ◽  
Clinical Consequences ◽  
Basic Learning

The second chapter focuses on basic learning mechanisms and specifically on Pavlovian conditioning and its relevance for mental disorder. Pavlovian conditioning has been implicated in addictive disorders, but may also play a role in affective and psychotic experiences. Influences of Pavlovian cues on instrumental behavior are explained with respect to their clinical consequences.

Evolutionary Concepts of Mental Disorders—A Unifying Framework?

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Heinz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Human Behavior ◽  
Learning Mechanisms ◽  
Evolutionary Theories ◽  
Evolutionary Concepts ◽  
Basic Learning

Dysfunction of basic learning mechanisms my best be understood within an evolutionary framework of human behavior. In this chapter, traditional evolutionary accounts of mental disorders are described and criticized, because they often have been based on a rather prejudiced view of non-European cultures and their supposed “primitiveness”. Such existing evolutionary theories and their pitfalls have to be kept in mind when developing a new understanding of mental disorder.

A New Understanding of Mental Disorders

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Heinz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Dimensional Approach ◽  
Learning Mechanisms ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Addictive Disorders ◽  
Human Decision ◽  
Computational Aspects ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Basic Learning

For many psychiatric disorders, neurobiological findings do not help to diagnose a specific disease or to predict its outcome. This book suggests to take a new look at mental disorders by using computational models to better understand human decision making. It shows how such models can be applied to basic learning mechanisms that cut across established nosological boundaries of mental disorders. Such a computational and dimensional approach focuses on the malleability of human behavior and its biological underpinnings. The book argues that this computational and dimensional approach can help to promote and focus neurobiological research, however, it does not replace an anthropological understanding of clinical questions including the definition of mental disorders and ethical considerations. This is illustrated by describing the new understanding of mental disorders with respect to clinical and neuro-computational aspects of psychosis, affective and addictive disorders.

Computational Models of Learning Mechanisms in Psychosis

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Heinz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
The Self ◽  
Psychotic Experiences ◽  
Learning Mechanisms ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Surrounding World

Psychotic experiences may best be described as an alteration in the self-ascription of thoughts and actions, which is associated with a profoundly altered experience of oneself and the surrounding world. Computational models of key symptoms of psychiatric disorders are discussed with respect to the attribution of salience and self-relatedness to otherwise irrelevant stimuli and the role of top-down modelling in the generation of delusions. Top-down and bottom-up approaches in understanding mental disorders and their computational models are compared and critically reflected.

Psychotic experiences and hyper-theory-of-mind in preadolescence – a birth cohort study

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Clemmensen ◽  
J. van Os ◽  
M. Drukker ◽  
A. Munkholm ◽  
M. K. Rimvall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Birth Cohort Study ◽  
Parental Mental Illness ◽  
Psychotic Experiences ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual

Background.Knowledge on the risk mechanisms of psychotic experiences (PE) is still limited. The aim of this population-based study was to explore developmental markers of PE with a particular focus on the specificity of hyper-theory-of-mind (HyperToM) as correlate of PE as opposed to correlate of any mental disorder.Method.We assessed 1630 children from the Copenhagen Child Cohort 2000 regarding PE and HyperToM at the follow-up at 11–12 years. Mental disorders were diagnosed by clinical ratings based on standardized parent-, teacher- and self-reported psychopathology. Logistic regression analyses were performed to test the correlates of PE and HyperToM, and the specificity of correlates of PE v. correlates of any Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) mental disorder.Results.Univariate analyses showed the following correlates of PE: familial psychiatric liability; parental mental illness during early child development; change in family composition; low family income; regulatory problems in infancy; onset of puberty; bullying; concurrent mental disorder; and HyperToM. When estimating the adjusted effects, only low family income, concurrent mental disorder, bullying and HyperToM remained significantly associated with PE. Further analyses of the specificity of these correlates with regard to outcome revealed that HyperToM was the only variable specifically associated with PE without concurrent mental disorder. Finally, HyperToM did not share any of the investigated precursors with PE.Conclusions.HyperToM may have a specific role in the risk trajectories of PE, being specifically associated with PE in preadolescent children, independently of other family and child risk factors associated with PE and overall psychopathology at this age.

Dimensional psychiatry: mental disorders as dysfunctions of basic learning mechanisms

2016 ◽  
Vol 123 (8) ◽  
pp. 809-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Heinz ◽  
Florian Schlagenhauf ◽  
Anne Beck ◽  
Carolin Wackerhagen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Learning Mechanisms ◽  
Basic Learning

Childhood and adolescent psychotic experiences and risk of mental disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (10) ◽  
pp. 1589-1599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colm Healy ◽  
Ross Brannigan ◽  
Niamh Dooley ◽  
Helen Coughlan ◽  
Mary Clarke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Population Attributable Fraction ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Psychotic Experiences ◽  
Increased Risk

AbstractBackgroundPsychotic experiences (PEs) are common in childhood and adolescence and their association with mental disorders is well-established. We aim to conduct a quantitative synthesis the literature on the relationship between childhood and adolescent PEs and (i) any mental disorder; and (ii) specific categories of mental disorder, while stratifying by study design.MethodThree electronic databases (PUBMED, PsycINFO and EMBASE) were searched from inception to August 2017 for all the published literature on childhood and adolescent PEs and mental disorder (outcome) in non-help-seeking community samples. Study quality was assessed using a recognised quality assessment tool for observational studies. Two authors conducted independent data extraction. Pooled odds ratios were calculated for mental disorders using random-effects models. Additional analyses were conducted investigating different categories of mental disorder while stratifying by study design.ResultsFourteen studies from 13 community samples (n = 29 517) were identified with 9.8% of participants reporting PEs. PEs were associated with a three-fold increased risk of any mental disorder [odds ratio (OR) 3.08, confidence interval (CI) 2.26–4.21, k = 12]. PEs were associated with four-fold increase risk of psychotic disorder (OR 3.96, CI 2.03–7.73, population-attributable-fraction: 23.2%, k = 5). In addition, PEs were associated with an increased risk of affective disorders, anxiety disorders, behavioural disorders and substance-use disorders. Few longitudinal studies have investigated childhood and adolescent PEs and subsequent non-psychotic disorders which limited a meaningful synthesis and interpretation of these results.ConclusionThis meta-analysis confirms that PEs are prevalent in childhood and adolescent community samples and are associated with a variety of mental disorders beyond psychotic disorders. Further longitudinal research is necessary to fully determine the longitudinal relationship between PEs and non-psychotic disorders.

Introduction

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Heinz
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Reinforcement Learning ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
The Other ◽  
Functional Impairments ◽  
Addictive Disorders ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Neurobiological Research ◽  
Specific Disorders

In the introduction, a philosophically informed concept of mental disorders is presented. In order to define a clinically relevant mental malady, it suggests to focus on functional impairments relevant for human survival and the individually harmful consequences resulting from these dysfunctions. While this approach generally defines what can count as a mental disorder, it does not help to understand the neurobiological underpinnings of specific disorders. Traditional disease categories, on the other hand, do not reflect current neurobiological research. With respect to neurobiological lay based disease classifications, it is suggested to assess alterations of basic mechanisms of decision making and reward related learning, which cut across established nosological boundaries. For example, dopamine-dependent reinforcement learning is altered in psychotic, affective and addictive disorders.

scholarly journals Impact of arthritis on the perceived need and use of mental healthcare among Canadians with mental disorders: nationally representative cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e041371
Author(s):  
Alyssa Howren ◽  
J Antonio Aviña-Zubieta ◽  
Deborah Da Costa ◽  
Joseph H Puyat ◽  
Hui Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Need ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between having arthritis and the perceived need for mental healthcare and use of mental health support among individuals with mental disorders.DesignA cross-sectional analysis using data from Canadian Community Health Survey—Mental Health (2012).SettingThe survey was administered across Canada’s 10 provinces using multistage cluster sampling.ParticipantsThe study sample consisted of individuals reporting depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.Study variables and analysisThe explanatory variable was self-reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis, and outcomes were perceived need for mental healthcare and use of mental health support. We computed overall and gender-stratified multivariable binomial logistic regression models adjusted for age, gender, race/ethnicity, income and geographical region.ResultsAmong 1774 individuals with a mental disorder in the study sample, 436 (20.4%) reported having arthritis. Arthritis was associated with increased odds of having a perceived need for mental healthcare (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.71, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.77). In the gender-stratified models, this association was increased among men (aOR 2.69, 95% CI 1.32 to 5.49) but not women (aOR 1.48, 95% CI 0.78 to 2.82). Evaluation of the association between arthritis and use of mental health support resulted in an aOR of 1.50 (95% CI 0.89 to 2.51). Individuals with arthritis tended to use medications and professional services as opposed to non-professional support.ConclusionComorbid arthritis among individuals with a mental disorder was associated with an increased perceived need for mental healthcare, especially in men, underscoring the importance of understanding the role of masculinity in health seeking. Assessing the mental health of patients with arthritis continues to be essential for clinical care.

Tobacco smoking and mental disorders in Australian adolescents

2021 ◽  
pp. 000486742110096
Author(s):  
David Lawrence ◽  
Sarah E Johnson ◽  
Francis Mitrou ◽  
Sharon Lawn ◽  
Michael Sawyer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Current Smoking ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Current Tobacco

Objectives: This study aimed to (1) examine the strength of the association between mental disorders/mental health problems, risk behaviours and tobacco smoking among Australian adolescents, (2) compare rates of tobacco smoking among Australian adolescents with major depressive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and/or conduct disorder in 2013/14 vs 1998, and (3) identify the extent to which an association between tobacco smoking and mental health problems among adolescents can be attributed to non-mental health risk factors. Methods: The study utilised data from the first (1998) and second (2013/14) child and adolescent components of the National Surveys of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Both surveys identified nationally representative samples of Australian young people aged 4–17 years, living in private dwellings. Information was collected from parents and 13- to 17-year-olds about mental disorders, mental health problems, risk behaviours and tobacco smoking. Results: In the 2013/14 survey, the rate of current tobacco smoking among those with a mental disorder was 20% compared to 5% in those without a mental disorder. Rates were highest for young people with conduct disorder (50%), major depressive disorder (24%) and anxiety disorders (19%). In 2013/14, 38% of current tobacco smokers had a mental disorder and 32% reported self-harm and/or suicidal ideation vs 10% and 5%, respectively, among adolescents who had never smoked. Females with mental disorders or reporting self-harm or suicidal ideation had higher rates of current smoking than males. Other significant factors associated with current smoking included school-related problems, binge eating and having had more than one sexual partner. Conclusion: While smoking rates in 13- to 17-year-olds with mental disorders had declined since 1998, the strength of the association between mental disorders and smoking had increased, especially among females. Our findings highlight the need to address the tobacco smoking among adolescents with mental disorders, particularly females.

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