Current status, challenges and future prospects in computational psychiatry: a narrative review

BACKGROUND: Computational psychiatry is an area of scientific knowledge which lies at the intersection of neuroscience, psychiatry, and computer science. It employs mathematical models and computational simulations to shed light on the complexities inherent to mental disorders. AIM: The aim of this narrative review is to offer insight into the current landscape of computational psychiatry, to discuss its significant challenges, as well as the potential opportunities for the fields growth. METHODS: The authors have carried out a narrative review of the scientific literature published on the topic of computational psychiatry. The literature search was performed in the PubMed, eLibrary, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar databases. A descriptive analysis was used to summarize the published information on the theoretical and practical aspects of computational psychiatry. RESULTS: The article relates the development of the scientific approach in computational psychiatry since the mid-1980s. The data on the practical application of computational psychiatry in modeling psychiatric disorders and explaining the mechanisms of how psychopathological symptomatology develops (in schizophrenia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance use disorders) are summarized. Challenges, limitations, and the prospects of computational psychiatry are discussed. CONCLUSION: The capacity of current computational technologies in psychiatry has reached a stage where its integration into psychiatric practice is not just feasible but urgently needed. The hurdles that now need to be addressed are no longer rooted in technological advancement, but in ethics, education, and understanding.