1
|
Abstract
Humans are highly social animals whose survival and well-being depend on their capacity to cooperate in complex social settings. Advances in anthropology and psychology have demonstrated the importance of cooperation for enhancing social cohesion and minimizing conflict. The understanding of social behavior is informed by the notion of social cognition, a set of mental operations including emotion perception, mentalizing, and empathy. The social brain hypothesis posits that the mammalian brain has enlarged over evolution to meet the challenges of social life, culminating in a large human brain well adapted for social cognition. The structures subserving social cognition are mainly located in the frontal and temporal lobes, and although gray matter is critical, social cognition also requires white matter. Whereas the social brain hypothesis assumes that brain enlargement has been driven by neocortical expansion, cerebral white matter has expanded even more robustly than the neocortex, coinciding with the emergence of social cognition. White matter expansion is most evident in the frontal and temporal lobes, where it enhances connectivity between regions critical for social cognition. Myelination has, in turn, conferred adaptive social advantages by enabling prompt empathic concern for offspring and by strengthening networks that support cooperation and the related capacities of altruism and morality. Social cognition deficits related to myelinated tract involvement occur in many disorders, including stroke, Binswanger disease, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, glioma, and behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia. The contribution of white matter to social cognition can be conceptualized as the enhancement of cooperation through brain connectivity.
Collapse
|
2
|
Fett AKJ, Shergill SS, Krabbendam L. Social neuroscience in psychiatry: unravelling the neural mechanisms of social dysfunction. Psychol Med 2015; 45:1145-1165. [PMID: 25335852 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291714002487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Social neuroscience is a flourishing, interdisciplinary field that investigates the underlying biological processes of social cognition and behaviour. The recent application of social neuroscience to psychiatric research advances our understanding of various psychiatric illnesses that are characterized by impairments in social cognition and social functioning. In addition, the upcoming line of social neuroscience research provides new techniques to design and evaluate treatment interventions that are aimed at improving patients' social lives. This review provides a contemporary overview of social neuroscience in psychiatry. We draw together the major findings about the neural mechanisms of social cognitive processes directed at understanding others and social interactions in psychiatric illnesses and discuss their implications for future research and clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A K J Fett
- Department of Educational Neuroscience & Research Institute LEARN!,Faculty of Psychology and Education,VU University Amsterdam,Van der Boechorststraat 1,Amsterdam,The Netherlands
| | - S S Shergill
- Department of Psychosis Studies,Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London,De Crespigny Park,London,UK
| | - L Krabbendam
- Department of Educational Neuroscience & Research Institute LEARN!,Faculty of Psychology and Education,VU University Amsterdam,Van der Boechorststraat 1,Amsterdam,The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cacioppo JT, Cacioppo S, Dulawa S, Palmer AA. Social neuroscience and its potential contribution to psychiatry. World Psychiatry 2014; 13:131-9. [PMID: 24890058 PMCID: PMC4102278 DOI: 10.1002/wps.20118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Most mental disorders involve disruptions of normal social behavior. Social neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field devoted to understanding the biological systems underlying social processes and behavior, and the influence of the social environment on biological processes, health and well-being. Research in this field has grown dramatically in recent years. Active areas of research include brain imaging studies in normal children and adults, animal models of social behavior, studies of stroke patients, imaging studies of psychiatric patients, and research on social determinants of peripheral neural, neuroendocrine and immunological processes. Although research in these areas is proceeding along largely independent trajectories, there is increasing evidence for connections across these trajectories. We focus here on the progress and potential of social neuroscience in psychiatry, including illustrative evidence for a rapid growth of neuroimaging and genetic studies of mental disorders. We also argue that neuroimaging and genetic research focused on specific component processes underlying social living is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John T Cacioppo
- Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience, University of Chicago5848 S. University Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Stephanie Cacioppo
- High Performance Electrical Neuroimaging Laboratory, University of ChicagoChicago, IL, USA
| | - Stephanie Dulawa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, ChicagoIL, USA
| | - Abraham A Palmer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, ChicagoIL, USA,Department of Human Genetics, University of ChicagoChicago, IL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Barsuglia JP, Nedjat-Haiem F, Shapira JS, Velasco C, Jimenez EE, Mather MJ, Mendez MF. Observational themes of social behavioral disturbances in frontotemporal dementia. Int Psychogeriatr 2014; 26:1-7. [PMID: 24846824 PMCID: PMC4239207 DOI: 10.1017/s104161021400091x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Background: Caregivers report early disturbances in social behavior among patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD); however, there are few direct observational studies of these social behavioral disturbances. This study aimed to identify social behavioral themes in bvFTD by direct observation in naturalistic interactions. The identification of these themes can help caregivers and clinicians manage the social behavioral disturbances of this disease. Methods: Researchers observed 13 bvFTD patients in their homes and community-based settings and recorded field notes on their interpersonal interactions. A qualitative analysis of their social behavior was then conducted using ATLAS.ti application and a constant comparison method. Results: Qualitative analysis revealed the following themes: (1) diminished relational interest and initiation, indicating failure to seek social interactions; (2) lack of social synchrony/intersubjectivity, indicating an inability to establish and maintain interpersonal relationships; and (3) poor awareness and adherence to social boundaries and norms. These themes corresponded with changes from caregiver reports and behavioral scales. Conclusion: This analysis indicates that real-world observation validates the diagnostic criteria for bvFTD and increases understanding of social behavioral disturbances in this disorder. The results of this and future observational studies can highlight key areas for clinical assessment, caregiver education, and targeted interventions that enhance the management of social behavioral disturbances in bvFTD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph P. Barsuglia
- Veterans Health Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Neurobehavior Service (116AF), 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. 90073 USA, California
| | - Frances Nedjat-Haiem
- Veterans Health Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Neurobehavior Service (116AF), 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. 90073 USA, California
| | - Jill S. Shapira
- Veterans Health Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Neurobehavior Service (116AF), 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. 90073 USA, California
| | - Christina Velasco
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Elvira E. Jimenez
- Veterans Health Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Neurobehavior Service (116AF), 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. 90073 USA, California
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Departments of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Michelle J. Mather
- Veterans Health Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Neurobehavior Service (116AF), 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. 90073 USA, California
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Departments of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Mario F. Mendez
- Veterans Health Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Neurobehavior Service (116AF), 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. 90073 USA, California
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Departments of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sachdev PS, Mohan A. Neuropsychiatry: where are we and where do we go from here? Mens Sana Monogr 2013; 11:4-15. [PMID: 23678234 PMCID: PMC3653233 DOI: 10.4103/0973-1229.109282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Revised: 12/10/2012] [Accepted: 12/13/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Neuropsychiatry has generally been regarded as a hybrid discipline that lies in the borderland between the disciplines of psychiatry and neurology. There is much debate on its current and future identity and status as a discipline. Materials and Methods: Taking a historical perspective, the future of neuropsychiatry is placed within the context of recent developments in clinical neuroscience. Results: The authors argue that with the maturation of the discipline, it must define its own identity that is not dependent entirely upon the parent disciplines. The requirements for this are the claiming of neuropsychiatric territory, a strong training agenda, an emphasis on treatments that are uniquely neuropsychiatric, and a bold embrace of new developments in clinical neuroscience. Conclusion: The exponential growth in neuroscientific knowledge places neuropsychiatry in an excellent position to carve out a strong identity. It is imperative that the leaders of the discipline seize the moment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Perminder S Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), School of Psychiatry, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales NSW 2052, Australia; Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Barker Street, Randwick NSW 2031, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|