Evidence Emerging for Usefulness of Biomarkers in Prodrome, First-Episode Psychosis

Substantial evidence has accumulated for the use of biomarkers in the diagnosis and treatment of the schizophrenia “prodrome” and first-episode psychosis. So said speakers yesterday at APA’s 2015 annual meeting in Toronto in the symposium “The Potential of Biomarkers to Assist in Clinical Care of Schizophrenia.”

Sir Robin Murray, M.B., a professor of psychiatric research at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, described the use of brain imaging in diagnostic assessment and more recent findings of MRI cortical measures and response to treatment. “The recent treatment response research not only can assist the clinical approach for clinicians, but can substantially reduce lengthy periods of nonresponse,” he said.

He was joined in the symposium by Sabine Bahn, M.D., of the University of Cambridge. She outlined significant findings from her research in the field of proteomics to the field of psychiatry and specifically to schizophrenia. She said that research on proteomics and its application to diagnosis in the early phase of illness is an important step to lead to appropriate intervention.

Anil Malhotra, M.D., director of psychiatry research at Zucker Hillside Hospital, discussed his work in applying genetics to the practical areas of pharmacological treatment and resistance to treatment. Tyrone Cannon, M.D., a professor of psychology and psychiatry at Yale University, reported on recent biomarker research in the area of the prodrome. He said these developments may assist clinicians in the field with monitoring the progression of prodromal symptoms and formulating steps for intervention.