Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Millan, Mark J.
• Agid, Yves
• Brüne, Martin
• Bullmore, Edward T.
• Carter, Cameron S.
• Clayton, Nicola S.
• Connor, Richard
• Davis, Sabrina
• Deakin, Bill
• DeRubeis, Robert J.
• Dubois, Bruno
• Geyer, Mark A.
• Goodwin, Guy M.
• Gorwood, Philip
• Jay, Thérèse M.
• Joëls, Marian
• Mansuy, Isabelle M.
• Meyer-Lindenberg, Andreas
• Murphy, Declan
• Rolls, Edmund
• Saletu, Bernd
• Spedding, Michael
• Sweeney, John
• Whittington, Miles
• Young, Larry J.

Titel

Cognitive dysfunction in psychiatric disorders: characteristics, causes and the quest for improved therapy

Ist Teil von

• Nature reviews. Drug discovery, 2012-02, Vol.11 (2), p.141-168

Ort / Verlag

London: Nature Publishing Group UK

Erscheinungsjahr

2012

Quelle

MEDLINE

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Key Points Deficits in cognitive function — ranging from decreased attention and working memory to disrupted social cognition and language — are common in psychiatric disorders. They severely compromise quality of life, yet are currently poorly treated. Recent research has identified numerous interacting causes — genetic, epigenetic, developmental and environmental — that collectively disrupt the cerebral and cellular networks integrating and modulating cognition. Several pharmacotherapeutic strategies for the restoration of cognition are under investigation but most drugs have only been evaluated in rodents, and there is limited positive feedback from the clinic. The successful development of improved agents necessitates rigorous validation both in animals and in humans. In this regard, a broad palette of techniques, ranging from behavioural testing to brain imaging, is available for the exploration of innovative concepts and the characterization of new drugs. Despite the key importance of pharmacotherapy, the relevance of alternative strategies should not be neglected. The association of both approaches may emerge to be particularly effective for realizing the goal of enhanced cognitive performance and, accordingly, improved quality of life in patients suffering from psychiatric disorders. Studies of psychiatric disorders have traditionally focused on emotional symptoms, such as depression, anxiety and hallucinations, but poorly controlled cognitive deficits are also prominent and severely compromise quality of life. This article critically discusses our understanding of the nature and causes of cognitive impairment in psychiatric disorders, and reviews the opportunities and challenges in improving cognition in patients, including the development of more effective translational research approaches. Studies of psychiatric disorders have traditionally focused on emotional symptoms such as depression, anxiety and hallucinations. However, poorly controlled cognitive deficits are equally prominent and severely compromise quality of life, including social and professional integration. Consequently, intensive efforts are being made to characterize the cellular and cerebral circuits underpinning cognitive function, define the nature and causes of cognitive impairment in psychiatric disorders and identify more effective treatments. Successful development will depend on rigorous validation in animal models as well as in patients, including measures of real-world cognitive functioning. This article critically discusses these issues, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for improving cognition in individuals suffering from psychiatric disorders.