Psychiatric Illnesses as Disorders of Network Dynamics

This review provides a dynamical systems perspective on mental illness. After brief introduction to the theory of systems, we focus common assumption in theoretical and computational neuroscience that phenomena at subcellular, cellular, network, cognitive, even societal levels could be described explained terms theory. As such, may also provide framework for understanding illnesses. The examines number core relates each these aspects an outline how broad set serious illnesses neurological conditions can understood terms. It suggests level central, hublike convergence unifies links multiple biophysical behavioral sense diverse changes give rise same and, vice versa, similar dynamics yield different symptoms depending brain area where manifest. We briefly current methodological approaches inferring from data such as electroencephalography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, or self-reports, discuss implications view diagnosis, prognosis, treatment psychiatric conditions. argue consideration play potentially transformative role choice target interventions.