Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Bridging the Gap Between Neurology and Psychiatry

Cureus. 2024 Jan 4;16(1):e51655. doi: 10.7759/cureus.51655. eCollection 2024 Jan.

Abstract

Given the ongoing difficulties faced by clinicians and researchers in dealing with neuropsychiatric illnesses, it is becoming more and more evident that there is a need to go beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. This research consolidates existing material, examining changes in history, the fundamental neurobiological aspects, and the shared clinical manifestations between neurology and psychiatry. This inquiry examines the historical development of neuropsychiatry, focusing on the relationship between early understandings of mental illness and the later division of neurology and psychiatry. The focus is on recent advancements in comprehending the common neurobiological pathways and genetic factors that highlight the merging of these fields. The research highlights the complexities of clinical presentations in neuropsychiatric illnesses by analyzing the overlapping cognitive, affective, and behavioral symptoms. The text critiques the diagnostic issues in traditional frameworks, emphasizing the limitations in differentiating between neurological and psychiatric origins. This has ramifications for achieving correct diagnosis and arranging appropriate treatment. The paper explores developing multidisciplinary care approaches, highlighting successful collaborations between neurologists and psychiatrists. This study examines the difficulties in carrying out a plan and the process of identifying obstacles to combining different elements. It also highlights the urgent need for improved instruction and learning for smooth cooperation. The paper examines the therapeutic implications by investigating pharmacological therapies focusing on shared pathways. It also discusses the difficulties involved in managing neurological and psychiatric diseases that occur together. The study also explores non-pharmacological therapies, such as psychotherapy and rehabilitation methods, as part of a comprehensive treatment approach. Anticipating the future, the report identifies areas where the study could be improved and forecasts the influence of technological improvements on the subject. Suggestions are put out to encourage additional exploration, cooperation, and originality to narrow the divide between neurology and psychiatry, ultimately augmenting our comprehension and treatment of neuropsychiatric illnesses. This real-time synthesis adds to the ongoing discussion, providing valuable insights that align with the ever-changing field of contemporary neuropsychiatric research and therapy.

Keywords: child and adolescent psychiatry; clinical psychiatry; neurology and critical care; neuropsychiatric; neuropsychiatric disorders.

Publication types

  • Review