"Average is good, extremes are bad" – Non-linear inverted U-shaped relationship between neural mechanisms and functionality of mental features. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Northoff, Georg; Tumati, Shankar
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 104(2019)
• Page Start: 11
• Page End: 25
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: Optimal -- Neuro-mental relationship -- Inverted-U shape model -- Psychiatric diagnosis -- RDoC; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.06.030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Highlights: Shows the relationships between measures of neural activity and mental features. Neuro-mental relationships are characterized by an inverted-U shaped curve. Intermediate or average values seen in healthy states with optimal mental function. Extreme values indicate poor function of the same mental feature across disorders. Sub-optimal mental function and at-risk state between average and extreme values. Abstract: Traditionally, studies emphasize differences in neural measures between pathological and healthy groups, assuming a binary distinction between the groups, and a linear relationship between neural measures and symptoms. Here, we present four examples that show a continuous relation across the divide of normal and pathological states between neural measures and mental functions. This relation can be characterized by a non-linear inverted-U shaped curve. Along this curve, mid-range or average expression of a neural measure is associated with optimal function of a mental feature (in healthy states), whereas extreme expression, either high or low, is associated with sub-optimal function, and occurs in different neural disorders. Neural expression between the optimal or intermediate and pathological or extreme values is associated with sub-optimal function and at-risk mental states. Thus, this model of neuro-mental relationship can be summarized as "average is good, extremes are bad". By focussing on neuro-mental relationships, this model can facilitate the transition of psychiatry from a categorical to a dimensional and individualized approach needed in the era of precision medicine.