NEW YORK PSYCHOANALYTIC SOCIETY & INSTITUTE:
Arnold Pfeffer Center for Neuropsychoanalysis
Marianne and Nicholas Young Auditorium
247 East 82nd St., between 2nd & 3rd, NY, NY 10028
212-879-6900
www.psychoanalysis.org
www.nypsi.org
Saturday, November 7, 2015. 10 am – 12 pm
Psychosis revealed through the connectome: A neuropsychoanalytic perspective, Tiziano Colibazzi, M.D.
RSVP is appreciated but not necessary; first come, first-seated FREE.
All are welcome.
RSVP
The field of functional brain connectivity is one of the most dynamic areas of neuroscientific research because it provides the tools to study both small-scale and large-scale networks in the living brain. Arguably, complex brain functions such as those of interest to psychoanalysts are functions supported by such networks, rather than by single brain regions. The aims of this presentation are: 1) to provide an overview of methods for the study of functional connectivity and the connectome; 2) to illustrate the application of such methods to a sample of individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis; 3) to discuss these findings in the context of the psychoanalytic understanding of psychosis; 4) to discuss how such large scale networks can be understood in terms of the agencies described in Freud’s structural topography. An overview of methods for the study of functional connectivity and the connectome will be provided and illustrated with results from a large data set of adults at clinical high risk for psychosis. Functional connectivity analyses allowed us to identify functional networks involving the posterior heteromodal cortices, whose disrupted connectivity could underlie the development of psychotic symptoms. The risk of developing psychotic symptoms thus may be related to an increased connectivity between subcortical structures and cortices that are devoted to high-order processing of sensory stimuli. We speculate that psychosis results from sensory processing “escaping” prefrontal control and “flooding thinking,” lending thoughts the immediacy of sensory qualities. We submit that such a mechanism is consistent with an understanding of psychosis in terms of an eruption into consciousness of thing presentations and primary process thinking.
Tiziano Colibazzi, M.D. is Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University and at the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research. Dr. Colibazzi’s research focuses on the neuroscience of emotions as well on brain imaging of psychotic disorders, using a variety of imaging techniques including resting state and task-based fMRI, anatomical imaging, DTI and PET. Dr. Colibazzi is also trained as a psychoanalyst and sex therapist and is a psycho-pharmacology supervisor for the Columbia Psychiatry residency program.
Educational Objectives: After attending this activity, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the basic principles of functional connectivity and how findings in this domain might relate to cognition
2. Relate impairments in sensory gating to psychodynamic formulations of primary process thinking
3. Formulate new clinical hypotheses about psychosis based on connectivity findings
Physicians: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of American Psychoanalytic Association and New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this Live Activity for a maximum of (2) AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION FOR ALL LEARNERS: None of the planners and presenters of this CME program have any relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Psychologists: New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education programs for psychologists.
Important disclosure information for all learners: None of the planners and presenters of this CE program have any relevant financial relationships to disclose.
For information about NYPSI training programs please visit us at www.psychoanalysis.org or www.nypsi.org