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Modern modularity and the road towards a modular psychiatry

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Abstract

We propose to use modules representing functional subunits of the brain as the substrates of pathogenetic factors in mental disorders. This approach is based on scientific evidence from neurophysiology and cognitive psychology regarding the organisation of the human brain in functionally discernible, not necessarily temporally or spatially stable subunits, which are interconnected in complex, often multilayered networks of neuronal circuits. Such a definition would reconcile modern network theories of brain function with localizationist models. Module-based diagnosis and therapy of mental disorders will be the goal of a modular psychiatry, which has the advantage that it is founded in neuroscientific evidence and does not rely on arbitrary definitions of mental disorders based mainly on clinical empiricism.

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Disclosure

W.G. has received consultation fees (including scientific advisory boards) from Janssen Cilag, Lilly Germany, Lundbeck GmbH, the Lundbeck Foundation, Novartis and Wyeth Pharma. W.G. has received research grants from Astra Zeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly Foundation, Janssen Cilag and Lilly Germany. W.G. is or was a member of the Speaker's Bureau of Astra Zeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Janssen-Cilag, Lilly Germany, Lundbeck GmbH, Lundbeck Institute, Novartis and Wyeth Pharma. J.Zielasek has no financial conflicts of interest to declare.

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  1. Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Heinrich-Heine-University, Rhineland State Clinics Düsseldorf, Bergische Landstr. 2, 40629, Düsseldorf, Germany

    Jürgen Zielasek MD & Wolfgang Gaebel

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  1. Jürgen Zielasek MD
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  2. Wolfgang Gaebel
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Correspondence to Jürgen Zielasek MD.

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Zielasek, J., Gaebel, W. Modern modularity and the road towards a modular psychiatry. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 258 (Suppl 5), 60–65 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-008-5015-1

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