Cited by 415Treatment of Major DepressionTryptophan and brain disordersStress Responses and Cortisol

Biomarkers for depression: recent insights, current challenges and future prospects

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Strawbridge, Rebecca, Young, Allan H, Cleare, Anthony J·2017·Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment

Abstract

Abstract: A plethora of research has implicated hundreds of putative biomarkers for depression, but has not yet fully elucidated their roles in depressive illness or established what is abnormal in which patients and how biologic information can be used to enhance diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. This lack of progress is partially due to the nature and heterogeneity of depression, in conjunction with methodological heterogeneity within the research literature and the large array of biomarkers with potential, the expression of which often varies according to many factors. We review the available literature, which indicates that markers involved in inflammatory, neurotrophic and metabolic processes, as well as neurotransmitter and neuroendocrine system components, represent highly promising candidates. These may be measured through genetic and epigenetic, transcriptomic and proteomic, metabolomic and neuroimaging assessments. The use of novel approaches and systematic research programs is now required to determine whether, and which, biomarkers can be used to predict response to treatment, stratify patients to specific treatments and develop targets for new interventions. We conclude that there is much promise for reducing the burden of depression through further developing and expanding these research avenues. Keywords: mood disorder, major depressive disorder, inflammation, treatment response, stratification, personalized medicine

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Krishnadas R, Cavanagh J. Depression: an inflammatory illness? J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2012;83(5):495-502.
  2. Xia Q, Wang G, Wang H, Xie Z, Fang Y, Li Y. Study of metabolism of glucose and lipid in patients of first-episode depressioon. J Clin Psychiatry. 2009;19:241-243.

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Authors
Strawbridge, R., Young, A. H., & Cleare, A. J.
Affiliations
King's College London (GB)
Corresponding author
Strawbridge, Rebecca
Venue
Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
Published
2017-05
Volume
Volume 13
Pages
1245-1262
ISSN
  • 1176-6328 (ISSN-L)
  • 1178-2021
OpenAlex
W3141564337
Cited by
415
References
208
Citations by year
2026: 35 · 2025: 55 · 2024: 57 · 2023: 36 · 2022: 38 · 2021: 55 · 2020: 50 · 2019: 40 · 2018: 43 · 2017: 5 · 2015: 1
FWCI
4.79
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
Funders
  • South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
  • Wellcome Trust
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research (NF-SI-0616-10091)
  • King's College London
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
depression biomarkers, major depressive disorder, inflammation, neurotrophic factors, metabolic biomarkers, neurotransmitters, neuroendocrine system, epigenetics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, neuroimaging, treatment response prediction, patient stratification, personalized medicine, depression heterogeneity

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