Depression Biomarkers To Improve Antidepressants | Precision Medicine For Depression | FPS#4

The discovery of biomarkers related to depression and other psychiatric disorders have been accelerated in recent years due to emphasis on genomics and proteomics research, Precision medicine (or personalized medicine), and collaborative approaches across research labs. Using knowledge of these biomarkers, scientists are better able to identify of those with genetic predispositions, as well as improve diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for those with depression (MDD).

In this episode neuroscience PhD candidate, Stephen Daniels, joins us to speak about his recently published manuscript that addresses these controversial concepts, entitled "Reverse Translation of Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms: A Framework for the Behavioural Phenotyping of Putative Biomarkers", published in The Journal of Affective Disorders [2020 Feb; 263(15): 353-366] / DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.11.108.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032719325510

Highlights
• Reverse translation of biomarkers of depression.
• Basic bio-behavioural functions in humans and animals.
• Battery of tests in animals to study clinical biomarkers.

Abstract

Background
Reverse translating putative biomarkers of depression from patients to animals is complex because Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a highly heterogenous condition. This review proposes an approach to reverse translation based on relating relevant bio-behavioural functions in laboratory rodents to MDD symptoms.
Methods
This systematic review outlines symptom clusters assessed by psychometric tests of MDD and antidepressant treatment response including the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Symptoms were related to relevant behavioural assays in laboratory rodents.
Results
The resulting battery of tests includes passive coping, anxiety-like behaviours, sleep, caloric intake, cognition, psychomotor functions, hedonic reactivity and aversive learning. These assays are discussed alongside relevant clinical symptoms of MDD, providing a framework through which reverse translation of a biomarker can be interpreted.
Limitations
Certain aspects of MDD may not be quantified by tests in laboratory rodents, and their biological significance may not always be of clinical relevance.
Conclusions
Using this reverse translation approach, it is possible to clarify the functional significance of a putative biomarker in rodents and hence translate its contribution to specific clinical symptoms, or clusters of symptoms.
Keywords
Major depressive disorder, Montgomery–Åsberg depression rating scale, Hamilton rating scale for depression, Beck Depression inventory

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