Bridging the Gap Between Research and Treatment for Neuropsychiatric Disorders.
For patients with neuropsychiatric disorders, there is a significant gap between biomedical research and the application of its discoveries. In the past, clinical observations have driven basic scientists to explore the mechanisms of psychotropic agents, a process known as backtranslation. For example, the introduction of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) spurred research into monoaminergic mechanisms, and recent clinical observations have led to the development of rapid-acting antidepressants (RAAD) and further studies into glutamatergic mechanisms.
Together with the Group for the Study of Resistant Depression (GSRD), we are exploring the genetic underpinnings of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) using whole-genome sequencing (WGS). We provide an in-depth approach to TRD and will explore if its endophenotypes are underscored by discrete genetic modifications (or their constellations considering the likely polygenic nature of the disorder). This approach aims to identify genetic modifications that could lead to precise treatment solutions. The use of WGS data may enhance our understanding of the genetic contributions to disease manifestation, progression, and drug sensitivity.
Our research interests also include observational and large-scale clinical studies of psychopharmacotherapeutic treatments and the molecular structures of psychiatric diagnostic subgroups. Additionally, we collaborate with the Austrian Association of Neuropsychopharmacology (ÖGPB), the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP), and the International College of Neuropsychopharmacology (CINP) to develop clinically applicable consensus documents to guide clinicians based on the latest biomedical research.
