Identification and Validation of Immuno-Inflammatory Neuroimaging Markers Across Major Psychiatric Disorders (IMAGE)
Caption
A new study in Biological Psychiatry identifies a new “biotype” for psychiatric disorders and lays the foundation for a biology-augmented diagnostic framework in psychiatry. This schematic contrasts the current “one-size-fits-all” approach in psychiatry with a future biomarker-guided strategy. Top (Current): Patients are diagnosed based on symptoms (e.g., depression) and receive standard therapy, resulting in a trial-and-error process where roughly one-third experience poor outcomes. Bottom (Future): A non-invasive brain scan detects an immuno-inflammatory neuroimaging marker, allowing clinicians to stratify patients into two biotypes. Those testing positive (immuno-inflammatory biotype) can receive targeted anti-inflammatory treatments, while those testing negative (non-immuno-inflammatory biotype) continue with conventional therapy. This precision-guided approach aims to match patients with the most effective treatment from the outset, improving outcomes across the board.
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Biological Psychiatry / Tang et al.
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