About this Research Topic
Calls for a paradigm shift in psychiatry, away from a classical medical model, are growing stronger. One proposal involves replacing the current system based on diagnostic categories, defined in terms of surface-level behavioral characteristics, with one that looks to place an individual within a multi-dimensional space based on their profile of underlying neuro-psychological characteristics and associated impairment. The hope is that this will lead to a breakthrough allowing a more personalized approach to clinical care. Such an approach depends on being able to identify, characterize and accurately measure the core dimensions of neuropsychological function of relevance both in general and to a particular individual.
Executive functions (EF) are one such core dimension whose relevance reaches across current diagnostic boundaries. EF underpins our vital capacity to regulate our thoughts and actions to adapt to our constantly changing environments to reach our overall goal. EF encompasses a broad range of processes such as response inhibition, planning, multiprocessing, and attentional flexibility, and are closely related to working memory and have links with creativity and IQ. Recently, their mechanistic relation to emotional regulation has been recognized. EF are highly dependent on prefrontal and parietal brain regions that work in tandem with basal ganglia and specific neuro-modulatory systems including noradrenaline and dopamine.
On a practical level, EF tests, have already been used for decades to assess frontal lobe damage as well as neuropsychiatric disorders in patients. Their role in the assessment and treatment planning in psychiatry and beyond is less clear. There is a lively debate about what contribution EF tests can make to psychiatric assessment. While many are skeptical about the value they add within the current categorical diagnostic – from a dimensional perspective there is optimism that they could play a vital role in the personalization of therapy.
This Research Topic aims to broadly examine, the current status, and potential contribution of the EF construct in driving forward dimensional and personalized approaches to assessment, diagnosis, and intervention in psychiatry.
Topics of interest will be:
- The transdiagnostic significance and dimensional properties of EF.
- Clinical heterogeneity and EF.
- EF tests – their psychometric properties and clinical value.
- Advances in EF-based interventions and the relation to precision medicine.
- The relationship between EF and other core neuropsychological functions.
- EF used in non-patient populations
- Biological mechanisms of EF
Executive functions (EF) are one such core dimension whose relevance reaches across current diagnostic boundaries. EF underpins our vital capacity to regulate our thoughts and actions to adapt to our constantly changing environments to reach our overall goal. EF encompasses a broad range of processes such as response inhibition, planning, multiprocessing, and attentional flexibility, and are closely related to working memory and have links with creativity and IQ. Recently, their mechanistic relation to emotional regulation has been recognized. EF are highly dependent on prefrontal and parietal brain regions that work in tandem with basal ganglia and specific neuro-modulatory systems including noradrenaline and dopamine.
On a practical level, EF tests, have already been used for decades to assess frontal lobe damage as well as neuropsychiatric disorders in patients. Their role in the assessment and treatment planning in psychiatry and beyond is less clear. There is a lively debate about what contribution EF tests can make to psychiatric assessment. While many are skeptical about the value they add within the current categorical diagnostic – from a dimensional perspective there is optimism that they could play a vital role in the personalization of therapy.
This Research Topic aims to broadly examine, the current status, and potential contribution of the EF construct in driving forward dimensional and personalized approaches to assessment, diagnosis, and intervention in psychiatry.
Topics of interest will be:
- The transdiagnostic significance and dimensional properties of EF.
- Clinical heterogeneity and EF.
- EF tests – their psychometric properties and clinical value.
- Advances in EF-based interventions and the relation to precision medicine.
- The relationship between EF and other core neuropsychological functions.
- EF used in non-patient populations
- Biological mechanisms of EF
Keywords: psychometrics, executive functions
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