Catherine M McHugh, James R John, Weng Tong Wu, Valsamma Eapen
{"title":"The spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders: comorbidities as clues to pathogenesis.","authors":"Catherine M McHugh, James R John, Weng Tong Wu, Valsamma Eapen","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001068","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001068","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>High comorbidity rates across neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) may suggest shared pathogenic mechanisms rather than independent disease processes. This review synthesizes recent neuroimaging evidence (2024-2025) examining how comorbidity patterns reveal circuit-level convergence across traditional diagnostic boundaries.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Studies of brain connectivity demonstrate that four core transdiagnostic dimensions of cognitive rigidity, sensory processing, repetitive behaviours, and social-emotional regulation show both circuit convergence and disorder-specific patterns across autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, Tourette syndrome and anxiety disorders. Analyses of how brain networks change over time clarify inconsistencies in earlier static studies, revealing that temporal network inflexibility predicts symptom severity better than anatomical connectivity alone. Developmental studies suggest circuit dysfunction emerges early (as early as 18 months for sensory processing) and creates cascade effects throughout maturation. Interventions targeting specific brain circuits produce transdiagnostic improvements, validating circuit-based approaches over disorder-specific supports.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Comorbidity patterns provide critical clues to shared pathogenesis, with circuit-level evidence supporting dimensional models over categorical diagnoses. The timing and of circuit dysfunction inform whether patterns reflect shared vulnerabilities, developmental cascades, or independent processes converging on similar phenotypes. These findings suggest that assessments and interventions targeting underlying brain mechanisms may be more effective than traditional categorical diagnosis-based interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"91-102"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12863590/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146017681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jennifer Dunne, Zhongyang Guan, Eduwin Pakpahan, Blossom C M Stephan
{"title":"Age-only versus multivariable models for dementia prediction: a comparative analysis.","authors":"Jennifer Dunne, Zhongyang Guan, Eduwin Pakpahan, Blossom C M Stephan","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001056","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001056","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Accurate dementia risk prediction is critical for prevention, yet it remains unclear which predictors add meaningful value beyond chronological age. This review evaluates the extent to which multivariable dementia risk models identify modifiable risk factors that enhance prediction value.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>We systematically reviewed cohort studies reporting both age-only and multivariable dementia prediction models in the same population. Six age-only models across five cohorts were included. Age-only models achieved poor to good discrimination (C-statistics 0.66-0.84). Adding modifiable cardiovascular and lifestyle factors provided consistent, modest improvements of 0.02-0.05 in the UK Biobank, Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC), and Rotterdam cohorts. Larger improvements of 0.07-0.12 were observed in models including cognitive testing or genetic factors [e.g., UK Biobank Dementia Risk Score (UKBDRS-APOE)] with the Hanley-McNeil z-test confirming the improvements were significant, indicating genuine improvement rather than random variation.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>While age is a significant risk factor for dementia, modifiable cardiovascular and lifestyle factors provide incremental predictive value beyond age and represent actionable targets for prevention. Despite modest statistical improvements, these factors offer the most clinically relevant targets for prevention strategies. Future efforts should prioritise interventions addressing these modifiable determinants to reduce dementia risk across populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"151-159"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145629455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Climate change and dementia: the impacts of social inequalities.","authors":"Xiaowen Zhou, Ding Ding","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001055","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001055","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Climate change has emerged as a critical global health challenge, which poses significant risks to brain health and well being among older adults. This review summarized the evidence from the past 2 years on how climate change shapes cognitive health and further explored how social inequities amplify the climate-related exposures and the burden of dementia and its consequence.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Emerging evidence have linked climate-related exposures to the dementia continuum, from accelerating cognitive decline to increase acute hospitalization and mortality, through direct biological processes and indirect behavioral or social influences. These impacts were unequally distributed, with the greatest in low-income and middle-income countries and other socially disadvantaged groups. The socio-ecological framework provided a structured lens for understanding these dynamics, emphasizing public policy as a key lever for equitable adaptation and mitigation, such as climate-resilient infrastructure and specialized disaster protocols.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>This review underscored the need to integrate climate considerations across the spectrum of cognitive health and to recognize the amplifying role of social inequities. Further research is required to close evidence gaps in resource-poor settings, implement advanced exposure measurements, and integrate social determinants and biomarkers for mechanisms exploration. Public policy should mitigate these inequities through targeted, equity-focused interventions and intersectoral collaboration.</p>","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":"39 2","pages":"129-135"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146084857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Etiology of autism spectrum disorders: recent advances and emerging directions.","authors":"Kerim M Munir","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001063","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001063","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This narrative review synthesizes advances from the past 18 months on the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), integrating findings from genetics, neurobiology, environmental epidemiology, and developmental psychiatry. Given the profound clinical heterogeneity of ASD, improved etiologic clarity is essential for risk stratification, early identification, and targeted intervention.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Extensive genomic and multiancestry studies are now further clarifying how both common polygenic and rare high-impact variants contribute to ASD. These studies reveal different patterns of genetic liability that underlie distinct ASD subgroups. In parallel, functional and multiomic research is highlighting shared pathways involving synaptic signaling, gene regulation, immune processes, and the balance between excitatory and inhibitory signals. Environmental research, especially on maternal immune activation and maternal metabolic factors, uses causal inference methods to clarify modest but plausible causal effects, tempering earlier claims. Longitudinal imaging and infant cohort studies continue to show that atypical connectivity and social-brain differences occur before behavioral diagnosis. Sex differences and global diversity underscore the need for etiology models to incorporate sex-specific genetic architecture and address significant gaps in ancestral representation.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>ASD arises from a dynamic interplay of genetic liability, early neurodevelopmental processes, and environmental exposures. Etiologic progress now depends on integrating multilevel and multiomic data - including genomic, transcriptomic, epigenetic, imaging, and epidemiologic information - toward stratified developmental models and better-tailored interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"75-82"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145988743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Conceptual frameworks and future directions for functional cognitive disorders in adults: a narrative review and integrative perspective.","authors":"Adith Mohan, Catherine J Hayes, Arun V Krishnan","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001062","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001062","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of this review: </strong>This narrative review provides an overview of functional cognitive disorder (FCD) as a cognitive subtype within the functional neurological disorder (FND) spectrum. It addresses the conceptual challenges, diagnostic criteria, and epidemiology of FCD, emphasizing the need for standardization of internal inconsistency and clearer diagnostic boundaries to improve clinical assessment and research.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>FCD is characterized by persistent cognitive complaints disproportionate to objective performance, underpinned by metacognitive, attentional, and cognitive-behavioural dysfunction. Emerging evidence supports a predictive processing framework in which maladaptive top-down priors and attentional dysregulation perpetuate subjective cognitive deficits despite preserved or inconsistent objective cognitive performance. Diagnostic criteria and FCD checklists show promise, although challenges remain in standardizing neuropsychological assessments and integrating patient-reported experiences. Epidemiological data highlight the stability of FCD and its distinctiveness from neurodegenerative conditions, with a nonprogressive trajectory in most cases.</p><p><strong>Summary statement: </strong>Defining and refining FCD through standardized criteria and mechanistic models is crucial for enhancing diagnostic accuracy, patient care, and research validity. Advancing our understanding of the pathophysiology of FCD within the FND framework will facilitate targeted interventions and improve trial cohort purity in neurodegenerative disease research. Future studies should focus on objective biomarkers and therapeutic strategies that address attentional and metacognitive dysfunction in FCD.</p>","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"175-181"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12863583/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145988756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"133 Real-time cognitive load assessment and adaptive optimization of human-machine interface in electric vehicle cockpit based on psychological health and physiological feedback: Erratum.","authors":"","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001077","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001077","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":"39 2","pages":"189"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146084872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Milan Latas, Nevena Baščarević, Dušanka Vučinić Latas
{"title":"Co-occurrence of personality disorders and anxiety disorders.","authors":"Milan Latas, Nevena Baščarević, Dušanka Vučinić Latas","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001031","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001031","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review explores the high co-occurrence between personality disorders (PDs) and anxiety disorders (ADs), focusing on clinical implications, the frequency of their association, and the challenges these comorbidities pose for diagnosis and treatment. In addition, this review highlights recent research findings and the need for better therapeutic strategies.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Contemporary studies have confirmed a strong association between PDs and ADs, particularly borderline personality disorder (BPD), which shows an 85% comorbidity with anxiety disorders. Gender differences are also observed, with women generally exhibiting higher rates of co-occurring psychiatric conditions. These comorbidities contribute to increased symptom severity, a higher suicide risk, and worse long-term outcomes. Recent clinical trials have shown positive results in managing these disorders. However, treatment approaches remain inconsistent, and further research is needed to refine these strategies.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>The co-occurrence of PDs and ADs complicates diagnosis and treatment, leading to worse outcomes. Although promising therapies exist, the current lack of a standardized treatment approach for this comorbid population highlights the need for further research. Future studies should explore more targeted treatment options, causal mechanisms linking PDs and ADs, and potential benefits of personalized interventions to improve clinical outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"52-57"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144706672","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Current evidence on immune-driven depression.","authors":"Céline Wessa, Maria S Simon, Livia De Picker","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001047","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001047","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review summarizes recent evidence on immune-driven depression, a subtype of major depressive disorder (MDD) characterized by low-grade inflammation, energy-related symptoms and metabolic disturbances. This subtype is associated with worse outcomes and distinct antidepressant responses. Considering inflammatory features may help clinicians tailor MDD management, particularly by informing lifestyle measures and targeted interventions. The review highlights studies describing features of immune-driven depression, discussing mechanistic pathways, and evaluating mechanism-based interventions.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Novel mechanistic evidence includes sex-specific associations between inflammatory markers and depressive symptoms, effects of inflammation on motivation and immuno-metabolic interactions. These findings have informed stratified and enriched trial designs preselecting patients with inflammatory profiles. International initiatives integrate clinical, biomarker, neuroimaging and genetic data to define reproducible signatures. Novel interventions include GLP-1 receptor agonists, more focus on dopaminergic agents and low-dose interleukin-2.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Current evidence supports immune-driven depression as a clinically relevant MDD subtype. Indicators such as hsCRP, comorbid metabolic or inflammatory conditions and motivational anhedonia may help clinicians recognize at-risk patients. Most intervention trials remain limited by small, heterogeneous samples and nonspecific outcome measures. Advances in biomarker-guided stratification represent important steps toward precision psychiatry, aiming to develop tailored, mechanism-based treatments for MDD.</p>","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"8-18"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12672047/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145488313","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"State-of-the-art treatment of postpartum bipolar disorder.","authors":"Tamás Kurimay, Anett Pelikán, Vera Tory","doi":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001049","DOIUrl":"10.1097/YCO.0000000000001049","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>To summarize recent updates in the treatment of postpartum bipolar disorder (PBD).PBD requires timely and comprehensive management, as childbirth is a period of elevated relapse risk in women with preexisting illness and may also mark first-onset presentations. Episodes can manifest as depression, mixed states, mania, or psychosis, with severe consequences for maternal safety, infant well being, and early bonding. Sleep loss around labor and postpartum further increases vulnerability.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>PBD demands a multifaceted therapeutic approach, with pharmacotherapy as the cornerstone. Lithium, lamotrigine, and selected second-generation antipsychotics remain key options, guided by efficacy, lactation safety, and individualized risk-benefit assessment. Structured relapse-prevention planning, sleep protection, and support for mother-infant bonding are crucial nonpharmacological elements. Early, targeted intervention reduces relapse and suicide risk while supporting maternal functioning and family stability.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Beyond optimized pharmacological care, recent research highlights a treatment continuum spanning pregnancy and postpartum. Multidisciplinary collaboration across psychiatry, obstetrics, and neonatal care is crucial to ensure maternal safety, optimize infant outcomes, and support families. Integrating lived experience and patient collaboration enhances relevance. A life-course perspective across reproduction, combining biological and psychosocial insights, signals a shift toward holistic, personalized, precision-based strategies in managing PBD.</p>","PeriodicalId":11022,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"32-41"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12783339/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145458165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}