Measuring Integrated Novel Dimensions in Neurodevelopmental and Stress-related Mental Disorders (MIND-Set): a cross-sectional comorbidity study from an RDoC perspective

Abstract Background It is widely acknowledged that comorbidity between psychiatric disorders is common. Shared and diverse underpinnings of psychiatric disorders cannot be systematically understood on the basis of symptom-based categories of mental disorders, which map poorly onto pathophysiological mechanisms. In the MIND-Set study, we make use of current concepts of comorbidity that transcend the current diagnostic categories. We test this approach to psychiatric problems in patients with frequently occurring psychiatric disorders and their comorbidities (excluding psychosis). The main objective of the MIND-Set project is to determine the shared and specific mechanisms of neurodevelopmental and stress-related psychiatric disorders at different observational levels. Methods This is an observational, cross-sectional study. Data from different observational levels as defined in the research domain criteria (RDoC; genetics, physiology, neuropsychology, system level neuroimaging, behavior, self-report and experimental neurocognitive paradigms) are collected over four time points. Included are adult (≥ 18 years), non-psychotic, psychiatric patients with a clinical diagnosis of a stress-related disorder (mood disorder, anxiety disorder and/or addiction disorder) and/or a neurodevelopmental disorder (ASD and/or ADHD). Individuals with no current or past psychiatric diagnosis are included as controls. Data collection started in June 2016 with the aim to include a total of 650 patients and 150 healthy controls by 2021. The data collection procedure includes online questionnaires and three subsequent sessions with 1) Standardized clinical examination, physical examination, and blood sampling; 2) Psychological constructs, neuropsychological tests, and biological marker sampling; 3) Neuroimaging measures. Discussion The MIND-Set study enables us to investigate the mechanistic underpinnings of non-psychotic psychiatric disorders transdiagnostically. We will identify both shared and disorder-specific markers at different observational levels that can be used as targets for future diagnostic and treatment approaches.