Conceptual challenges in the neuroimaging of psychiatric disorders

TY - JOUR

T1 - Conceptual challenges in the neuroimaging of psychiatric disorders

AU - Kanaan, Richard A.A.

AU - Mcguire, Philip K.

PY - 2011/12/1

Y1 - 2011/12/1

N2 - We consider the conceptual problems facing the application of functional imaging, particularly functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to psychiatric disorders. We first divide the problems facing the fMRI of normal function into problems of the task, power, and analysis. We then argue that each of these is more pronounced when fMRI is applied to psychiatric patients. Although fMRI has been instrumental in shaping the biological conception of psychiatry, the challenges it faces in delivering on the promise of a bridge from cognitive psychopathology to brain function are daunting.

AB - We consider the conceptual problems facing the application of functional imaging, particularly functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to psychiatric disorders. We first divide the problems facing the fMRI of normal function into problems of the task, power, and analysis. We then argue that each of these is more pronounced when fMRI is applied to psychiatric patients. Although fMRI has been instrumental in shaping the biological conception of psychiatry, the challenges it faces in delivering on the promise of a bridge from cognitive psychopathology to brain function are daunting.

KW - Biological psychiatry

KW - Cognitive neuropsychiatry

KW - Cognitive neuropsychology

KW - Cognitive psychology

KW - fMRI

KW - Methodology

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84861912579&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1353/ppp.2011.0051

DO - 10.1353/ppp.2011.0051

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:84861912579

SN - 1071-6076

VL - 18

SP - 323

EP - 332

JO - Philosophy, Psychiatry and Psychology

JF - Philosophy, Psychiatry and Psychology

IS - 4

ER -