Behavior, cognition, and future direction of psychiatry

The human behavior and cognition are the two most important functions for human life in the society. The cognitive function is declined in the elderly, but it is not always the case. Fluid intelligence may decline along with aging but crystalized intelligence can be maintained even in the elderly. In addition to neurocognitive disorders (dementia), cognitive function is impaired with various psychiatric disorders and it will be the main target for future psychiatry. Due to the knowledge obtained from the recent development in brain mapping, psychiatrists can perceive and understand the meaning of the psychiatric symptoms based upon the dysfunction of these networks. Subjective experience of the patients should be paid more attention by closer collaboration between psychiatrists/ researchers and patients/ families. Elucidating the brain network representing common sense will be important. Psychiatrists are recommended to expand the range of the frame of their common sense to be able to understand the meaning of the patient behavior