With regard to its

role relative to the existing diagnostic systems, RDoC is a research framework and is not intended to displace the DSM or ICD. It is agnostic regarding current diagnostic categories and—in contrast to these established diagnostic systems which are, by necessity, comprehensive and inclusive of a large range of disorders for which individuals may seek professional attention—RDoC is not intended to “cover the waterfront” of symptoms and illnesses. Although relevance to psychopathology was a criterion for selection of constructs, the RDoC framework is intended to be circumscribed and sparse so that the most important domains can be identified without generating a multitude of Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical constructs that have diminishing utility. As a research framework, RDoC will incorporate procedures for regular updates to the constructs and their defining elements resulting from http://www.selleckchem.com/products/PD-0332991.html ongoing research. Current status of the RDoC initiative The NIMH RDoC workgroup is currently in the process of conducting a series of workshops for the purpose of Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical defining the initial specifications for each of the proposed constructs. Each workshop is focused on one domain, and is preceded by a survey of scientists with research expertise related to the domain

Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical in order to obtain a broad sample of opinions regarding the domain and its related constructs. At the workshops, invited experts from various areas that span the units of analysis are tasked with: (i) determining the relevant constructs for the domain; (ii) Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical developing a definition for each construct within the domain; and (iii) identifying empirically based elements to populate the cells of the matrix. Following each workshop, the proceedings are posted on the NIMH RDoC Web site. Continuing Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical commentary and suggestions are welcome. As of November 2011, the workshops for the cognitive systems, negative valence systems, and positive valence systems constructs have been completed; the workshops for the remaining constructs will be completed by summer, 2012. In addition, interim

guidance Batimastat for applicants planning to propose studies incorporating the dimensional approach was released in March 2011, a Request for Information to elicit feedback and commentary regarding both general and specific aspects of the RDoC approach was released in May 2011, and a Request for Applications to encourage studies of mechanisms that may cut across multiple traditional diagnostic categories and evaluate the construct validity of the RDoC domains was issued by NIMH in August 2011. These documents and additional information regarding RDoC (selleck kinase inhibitor including the proceedings of past workshops) can be viewed at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/rdoc/index.shtml. It should be clear from this description that the RDoC Initiative is a long-term and evolving project.