Depressive disorders affect 6.4% to 10.4% of people in Europe and the U.S., with cases rising annually. This trend disrupts relationships, fosters social exclusion, and increases suicide rates. Conventional antidepressants are often ineffective—fewer than one-third of patients achieve remission within 12 weeks, and about 30% develop treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
Most TRD studies focus on hypothetical mechanisms, but its complexity demands a broader approach. Omics methods (e.g., metabolomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics) offer deeper insights into TRD’s pathophysiology.
This study aims to refine patient selection for alternative treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation by identifying biomarkers that predict treatment response. Personalized approaches could enhance therapy effectiveness and lead to combined treatments for severe depression. This research will also focus on investigating the molecular mechanisms behind these biomarkers.
Mokslinis vadovas / Supervisor: dr. Giedrė Valiulienė
Kontaktai / Contacts:
tel. / phone: +370 5 223 4412
Programme: Biochemistry N 004