Precision Medicine as the Next Frontier: The Evolving Science of Biomarkers in Psychiatry & Addiction-View Presentation

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The panel discussion focused on several key areas within the realm of psychiatry and the use of biomarkers. Dr. Hines introduced the speakers, who presented various topics related to pharmacogenomics, biomarkers, and their implications in the field of psychiatry.<br /><br />Dr. Matthew Rusling discussed the role of pharmacogenomics in optimizing psychiatric medication treatments, particularly for patients who have not responded well to multiple trials of medications. He emphasized the importance of using pharmacogenomic testing to guide dosing and improve therapeutic outcomes, while also noting the challenges of insurance coverage and the availability of such testing.<br /><br />Dr. Zach Monahan explored the potential role of inflammatory biomarkers in psychiatric disorders, particularly affective disorders. He highlighted how certain biological pathways, such as the kynurenic acid pathway, are linked to psychiatric symptoms and how these could be used for diagnostic and predictive purposes. He also discussed the importance of understanding the causal relationships between biomarkers and psychiatric outcomes.<br /><br />Dr. Landon Sorensen focused on biomarkers related to substance use disorders. He elaborated on how biomarkers could assist in diagnosing and monitoring conditions such as alcohol use disorder and opioid use through more precise and individualized approaches. He emphasized that this represents a step towards more precise psychiatry by integrating laboratory findings with clinical practice.<br /><br />The panel addressed questions regarding the practical implementation of pharmacogenomics and biomarkers in clinical settings, touching on issues such as the cost of testing, the reliability and interpretation of results, and advances in biomarker research. Overall, this highlighted the potential for these scientific advancements to enhance personalized treatment strategies in psychiatric care, while emphasizing the need for ongoing research and careful application in clinical practice.

Keywords

psychiatry

biomarkers

pharmacogenomics

psychiatric medication

therapeutic outcomes

inflammatory biomarkers

affective disorders

kynurenic acid pathway

substance use disorders

personalized treatment

clinical practice

biomarker research