A prototype model for evaluating psychiatric research strategies: Diagnostic category-based approaches vs. the RDoC approach

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a theoretical framework for evaluating psychiatric research strategies. The strategies to be evaluated include a conventional diagnostic category-based approach and dimensional approach that have been encouraged by the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH), outlined as Research Domain Criteria (RDoC). The proposed framework is based on the statistical modeling of the processes by which pathogenetic factors are translated to behavioral measures and how the research strategies can detect potential pathogenetic factors. The framework provides the statistical power for quantifying how efficiently relevant pathogenetic factors are detected under various conditions. We present several theoretical and numerical results highlighting the merits and demerits of the strategies.