A new study supported by Psych-STRATA has been published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. It explores whether inflammatory protein markers could help predict treatment outcomes across major psychiatric disorders.
The systematic review and meta-analysis examined evidence across schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. By taking a transdiagnostic approach, the researchers investigated biological mechanisms linked to poor treatment response and treatment resistance.
The researchers reviewed 105 studies, representing 8,242 participants, with 42 studies included in the quantitative meta-analysis. The findings showed that inflammatory biomarkers currently have limited predictive value across psychiatric disorders. However, some associations may warrant further investigation. Responders showed greater decreases in TNF-α (a protein involved in inflammation) during treatment, while lower baseline CRP (C-reactive protein, a common marker of inflammation) levels were associated with higher odds of remission.
The study also highlights important gaps in the available evidence. Most research focuses on major depressive disorder, and methodological differences between studies make it difficult to identify reliable biomarkers for clinical practice. The authors therefore call for more standardised research methods and broader proteomic approaches that examine multiple biomarkers together.
The research was conducted as part of Work Package 2 (WP2) of Psych-STRATA. Prof. Chiara Fabbri, WP2 Leader, is among the study authors. The publication also received support from the Psych-STRATA project under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme.
The findings contribute to Psych-STRATA’s work to better understand the biological factors associated with treatment response and support the development of more personalised approaches to mental health care.
Read the full study: Inflammatory protein markers and treatment outcomes across mood and psychotic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
