The Neurobiology of Formal Thought Disorder

Title:The Neurobiology of Formal Thought Disorder

Volume: 24 Issue: 20

Author(s): Erik Dornelles*Diogo Telles Correia

Affiliation:

• Clínica Universitária de Psicologia e Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
• Departamento de Psiquiatria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal

Abstract:

The concept of Formal Thought Disorder (FTD) is an ambiguous and disputed one, even though it has endured as a core psychopathological construct in clinical Psychiatry. FTD can be summarized as a multidimensional construct, reflecting difficulties or idiosyncrasies in thinking, language, and communication in general and is usually subdivided into positive versus negative. In this article, we aim to explore the putative neurobiology of FTD, ranging from changes in neurotransmitter systems to alterations in the functional anatomy of the brain. We also discuss recent critiques of the operationalist view of FTD and how they might fit in its biological underpinnings.

We conclude that FTD might be the observable phenotype of many distinct underlying alterations in different proportions.

Cite this article as:

Dornelles Erik*, Correia Diogo Telles, The Neurobiology of Formal Thought Disorder, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2024; 24 (20) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0115680266272521240108102354