Date created: | Last Updated:

Category: Project

Description: A host of public health problems -- from drug addiction to obesity -- are associated with persistent, maladaptive behaviors. The underlying causes of such behaviors have received considerable attention from psychologists, clinicians, computational theorists, and neuroscientists. These diverse perspectives were showcased in a symposium at the University of Rochester entitled Persistent, Maladaptive Behaviors: Why We Make Bad Choices. Here, we synthesize novel findings and perspectives arising from the symposium and integrate those findings within the broader literature. We begin by reviewing theoretical models of maladaptive behaviors and their underlying neural circuitry. We then discuss the behavioral and clinical manifestations of maladaptive behaviors. Given the multifaceted nature of maladaptive behavior, we argue that a dimensional approach may help inform theoretical models and clinical interventions, particularly those that rely on brain stimulation to induce neuro-plastic changes that rescue and remediate aberrant neural responses. We conclude that an interdisciplinary approach to studying maladaptive behavior will help advance the field toward improved prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.