fMRI and Deep Machine Learning Used to Non-Invasively Identify New Brain Imaging Biomarkers That Predict Antidepressant Response; Author Advocates Immediate Clinical Use

Research led by University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) scientists has identified MRI brain imaging biomarkers that bring new levels of precision for prescribing the most effective antidepressants. The outcome predictive models were developed in part using data from a large multi-center National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)-funded study and the work was published on September 22, 2021 in the journal Biological Psychiatry. The findings provide strong evidence that the current trial-and-error approach used in clinical practice for the selection of the right antidepressant can be replaced with this new precision medicine approach. The article is titled “Patterns of Pre-Treatment Reward Task Brain Activation Predict Individual Antidepressant Response: Key Results from the EMBARC Randomized Clinical Trial.”