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node

n.

1. a point in a graph, tree diagram, or the like at which lines intersect or branch.

2. a single point or unit in an associative model of memory. Nodes typically represent a single concept or feature, are connected to other nodes (usually representing semantically related concepts and features) by links in an associative network, and may be activated or inhibited to varying degrees depending on the conditions.

3. in artificial intelligence, see neural network. —nodal adj.

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Psychology term of the day

January 11th 2025

polypharmacy

polypharmacy

n. the simultaneous use of a variety of drugs of the same or different classes with the intent of producing a more robust therapeutic response. Polypharmacy for mental disorders may, for example, involve the administration of two or more antidepressants in the hope that agents with different mechanisms of action will produce greater clinical improvement than that seen with any one drug alone. Polypharmacy is often criticized because of the lack of well-controlled studies supporting its use and the greater likelihood of adverse drug interactions when two or more drugs are used simultaneously. However, for those individuals unsuccessfully treated with several trials of monotherapy, or for whom monotherapy achieves suboptimal results, polypharmacy may be therapeutically indicated and appropriately managed.