Cognitive and Neural Networks in Psychiatry
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Cognitive and Neural Networks in Psychiatry
IRAS ID
184289
Contact name
Ray Dolan
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 1 months, 1 days
Research summary
The Cognitive and Neural Networks in Psychiatry (CNNP) Study investigates the neural and cognitive mechanisms that are associated with psychiatric disorders. Despite the frequent occurrence and the high costs associated with psychiatric disorders, little is known about the mechanisms causing these illnesses and what prevents people from becoming mentally ill. Recent research questions the current rigid regiment of psychiatric diagnoses and suggests that psychiatric traits form spectra from healthy persons with low symptoms to healthy persons with high (subclinical) symptoms to patients at the extreme end of the spectrum. It is thought that psychiatric patients may share a common factor that renders them more vulnerable independently of diagnosis. The CNNP study investigates the neurocognitive aspects of psychiatric disorders, the validity of a dimensional approach and trans-diagnostical traits. We will investigate key psychiatric dimensions, such as impulsivity, compulsivity, emotional instability and social difficulties. We will test healthy participants with low scores on these dimensions, with high scoring healthy participants as well as patients. We will use clinical interviews and questionnaires and compare their dimensional traits to find predictors/characteristics of these in established and novel behavioural decision making tasks and neural data.
The CNNP is part of the Neuroscience in Psychiatry Network (NSPN), funded by a Strategic Wellcome Trust Award. We will access a large database from the general population to obtain high and low scoring participants, along with recruitment of patients and controls from the general population, prior clinical studies and NHS services. Subjects will undergo a clinical (interview, questionnaires), cognitive (computerized games), and/or neuroimaging (fMRI, MEG) modules which will in total last about 5 hours. All methods used are save and non-invasive. The cognitive and neuroimaging modules comprise established and novel behavioural tasks that were specifically developed for the psychiatric dimensions. We hope to resolve whether a dimensional approach to psychiatry surpasses the current categorical approach, whether there is a common neurocognitive factor across multiple disorders and whether neurocognitive measures are predictive of these traits and their development.
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1361
Date of REC Opinion
29 Oct 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion