Symposium
Plenary Hall: Lomond Auditorium
Plenary Hall: Lomond Auditorium
Saturday, June 27, 10:50 AM – 12:05 PM
Symposium 1:
From Risk to Diagnosis: Integrative Biomarker and Imaging Strategies in Early Psychosis and Bipolar Disease
From Risk to Diagnosis: Integrative Biomarker and Imaging Strategies in Early Psychosis and Bipolar Disease
Early detection and precise stratification of individuals at risk for psychotic and mood disorders represent a critical challenge in contemporary psychiatric research. This symposium presents integrated approaches that bridge molecular, imaging, and cellular methodologies to advance our understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders, addressing key limitations in current diagnostic and predictive strategies.
Bipolar disorder (BD) presents complex diagnostic challenges due to its dynamic mood fluctuations and heterogeneous clinical presentations. Dr. Su's research systematically examines the neurobiological underpinnings of BD through advanced functional neuroimaging techniques. The study focuses on distinguishing trait and state-related neuroimaging biomarkers, addressing a fundamental gap in understanding BD's pathophysiology. By analyzing brain activation patterns and functional connectivity across different mood states, her research provides a nuanced approach to characterizing neural correlates of mood instability.
The current clinical diagnostic criteria for psychosis prodrome identify individuals with only a 10-20% two-year conversion risk, significantly limiting preventative interventions. Dr.Khadimallah introduces a novel mechanism-based biomarker approach that addresses this critical challenge. Her research represents a unique methodological advancement by utilizing brain-derived exosomal microRNAs as a precise predictive tool. The study leverages a comprehensive multicentre approach, analyzing two independent cohorts: the EUGEI cohort (n=307) and the NAPLS-3 cohort (n=150).
The microRNA investigation focuses on five specific miRNAs (miR-137, miR-132, miR-9, miR-941, miR-34a) selected for their critical roles in key neurobiological processes, including: Mitochondrial function regulation, antioxidant activity, NMDAR function modulation, blood-brain barrier permeability and neurogenesis and neural differentiation. Using a sophisticated logistic regression model with Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), the research achieved remarkable predictive capabilities. The five-miRNA model demonstrated exceptional discriminative performance: Internal validation: C-index of (C=0·93, 95%CIs:0·92-0·95) and external validation: C-index of (C=0·99, 95%CIs:0·98-1·00). Most significantly, the model suggests potential clinical utility by identifying an additional 21 psychosis cases per 100 clinical high-risk (CHR) individuals compared to current standard care strategies.
Dr.Berretta introduces a critical translational methodology that bridges postmortem tissue analysis with living cell models, addressing a fundamental research challenge in psychosis spectrum disorders. Her approach develops primary and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) culture techniques that enable unprecedented insights into cellular interactions. By comparing gene expression programs across neuronal and glial cell types, she provides a comprehensive framework for mechanistic investigations.
The research reveals intricate coordination of gene expression programs in healthy subjects, particularly in key functional domains such as: Synaptic regulation, lipid metabolism and immune signaling. Critically, her methodology allows for simultaneous examination of cellular interactions in vitro and in situ, offering a unique approach to understanding the complex cellular mechanisms underlying psychosis spectrum disorders.
This symposium integrates multidisciplinary approaches across molecular, imaging, and cellular domains, offering a comprehensive perspective on early psychosis and mood disorders. By combining functional neuroimaging, mechanism-based biomarkers, and cellular-level investigations, the research presents innovative strategies for understanding disease mechanisms and potential diagnostic and selective preventive interventions in CHR individuals.
Bipolar disorder (BD) presents complex diagnostic challenges due to its dynamic mood fluctuations and heterogeneous clinical presentations. Dr. Su's research systematically examines the neurobiological underpinnings of BD through advanced functional neuroimaging techniques. The study focuses on distinguishing trait and state-related neuroimaging biomarkers, addressing a fundamental gap in understanding BD's pathophysiology. By analyzing brain activation patterns and functional connectivity across different mood states, her research provides a nuanced approach to characterizing neural correlates of mood instability.
The current clinical diagnostic criteria for psychosis prodrome identify individuals with only a 10-20% two-year conversion risk, significantly limiting preventative interventions. Dr.Khadimallah introduces a novel mechanism-based biomarker approach that addresses this critical challenge. Her research represents a unique methodological advancement by utilizing brain-derived exosomal microRNAs as a precise predictive tool. The study leverages a comprehensive multicentre approach, analyzing two independent cohorts: the EUGEI cohort (n=307) and the NAPLS-3 cohort (n=150).
The microRNA investigation focuses on five specific miRNAs (miR-137, miR-132, miR-9, miR-941, miR-34a) selected for their critical roles in key neurobiological processes, including: Mitochondrial function regulation, antioxidant activity, NMDAR function modulation, blood-brain barrier permeability and neurogenesis and neural differentiation. Using a sophisticated logistic regression model with Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), the research achieved remarkable predictive capabilities. The five-miRNA model demonstrated exceptional discriminative performance: Internal validation: C-index of (C=0·93, 95%CIs:0·92-0·95) and external validation: C-index of (C=0·99, 95%CIs:0·98-1·00). Most significantly, the model suggests potential clinical utility by identifying an additional 21 psychosis cases per 100 clinical high-risk (CHR) individuals compared to current standard care strategies.
Dr.Berretta introduces a critical translational methodology that bridges postmortem tissue analysis with living cell models, addressing a fundamental research challenge in psychosis spectrum disorders. Her approach develops primary and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) culture techniques that enable unprecedented insights into cellular interactions. By comparing gene expression programs across neuronal and glial cell types, she provides a comprehensive framework for mechanistic investigations.
The research reveals intricate coordination of gene expression programs in healthy subjects, particularly in key functional domains such as: Synaptic regulation, lipid metabolism and immune signaling. Critically, her methodology allows for simultaneous examination of cellular interactions in vitro and in situ, offering a unique approach to understanding the complex cellular mechanisms underlying psychosis spectrum disorders.
This symposium integrates multidisciplinary approaches across molecular, imaging, and cellular domains, offering a comprehensive perspective on early psychosis and mood disorders. By combining functional neuroimaging, mechanism-based biomarkers, and cellular-level investigations, the research presents innovative strategies for understanding disease mechanisms and potential diagnostic and selective preventive interventions in CHR individuals.