Functional neuroimaging: points of intersection between biology and psychotherapy

Objectives. In the evaluation of the biological basis of psychotherapeutic changes many researches have noticed potential effects of psychotherapeutic interventions on the neural correlates of mental illness. In a psychotherapeutic setting, modifications in individual thoughts and feelings can restore brain functioning at physiological levels. This paper gives an overview about neurobiological methods and their potential to support psychotherapy research and to examine psychotherapy effects across a number of psychiatric disorders. Methods. Relevant informations are identified through searches of MEDLINE and Current Contents/Clinical Medicine. Results. Studies demonstrate that it is important to consider putative neural mechanisms of psychotherapy, changes in the brain associated with psychotherapy on a global and molecular level, intervention-specific effects and prediction of outcome. Pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy converge in a common change of neuronal functions that might be detected by imaging techniques and might resemble correlates of clinical improvement. Conclusions. Neuroimaging techniques applied to psychotherapy research are relevant for further understanding neurobiological underpinnings of psychotherapy processes and predicting treatment outcome in order to improve clinical decision-making and treatment. Clin Ter 2012; 163(6):e445-456