Mechanisms and Markers of Psychopathology

This course integrates clinical psychology and cognitive neuroscience to explore the biological underpinnings of mental illness. We adopt a systems-level approach, examining the relationship between the function and dysfunction of specific brain circuits and networks and their contribution to mental health disorders. For instance, the brain's reward system has been linked to diagnoses such as addiction, disordered eating, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and psychosis. Understanding this common neural foundation provides insights into how these disorders are interconnected and how this knowledge can advance treatment options. Throughout the course, we draw on both traditional and cutting-edge methodologies that have produced critical insights and key breakthroughs. Additionally, students create resources aimed at individuals suffering from specific psychiatric disorders to support them as they await treatment.