Neuropsychiatrie als spezialisierung

The brain is inseparable. It is the morphological substrate of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Recent developments in the neurosciences have revealed structural and functional correlates of behavioural disturbances in the brain. Psychiatric manifestations of neurological diseases, e.g. basal ganglia disorders or multiple sclerosis, are complex and challenging from a therapeutic perspective. The reciprocal interactions of psychiatric conditions with neurological co-morbidities also require innovative therapeutic strategies. An unmet medical need exists in the treatment of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). In this area, Neuropsychiatry can contribute significantly to research and healthcare. The authors believe that Neuropsychiatry has to bridge the divide that emerged between the disciplines of Neurology and Psychiatry. In the light of the Annual Meeting of the German Association for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (DGPPN) 2011, we would like to provide the grounds for establishing Neuropsychiatry as a medical subspeciality. We also suggest amendments of the curricula in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy.