Elevating the field for applying neuroimaging to individual patients in psychiatry

Elevating the field for applying neuroimaging to individual patients in psychiatry

10 February 2024 | David R. Roalf, Martijn Figee, Desmond J. Oathes
The article discusses the evolving role of neuroimaging in psychiatry, highlighting the need to enhance its relevance to clinical care at the individual patient level. Despite the widespread use of neuroimaging in psychiatric research, challenges such as failed replications and lack of definitive evidence have tempered its enthusiasm. The authors propose several promising approaches to address these issues, including ultra-high field (UHF) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which offers improved sensitivity and specificity for neurometabolic processes. UHF MRI is particularly suited for characterizing patient abnormalities and variability in response to treatment, especially in the context of brain stimulation interventions. The article emphasizes the importance of integrating imaging with differential treatment prediction and outcome measurement, and suggests that a greater focus on individual patient imaging data will enhance the clinical relevance of neuroimaging in psychiatry. Additionally, the authors discuss the potential of combining brain stimulation with neuroimaging to provide more precise targeting and measurement of treatment effects. They conclude by outlining the need for standardized protocols and consortia to improve the reliability and reproducibility of UHF MRI studies, and highlight the importance of balancing group-level and individualized data to enhance the clinical utility of neuroimaging in psychiatry.The article discusses the evolving role of neuroimaging in psychiatry, highlighting the need to enhance its relevance to clinical care at the individual patient level. Despite the widespread use of neuroimaging in psychiatric research, challenges such as failed replications and lack of definitive evidence have tempered its enthusiasm. The authors propose several promising approaches to address these issues, including ultra-high field (UHF) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which offers improved sensitivity and specificity for neurometabolic processes. UHF MRI is particularly suited for characterizing patient abnormalities and variability in response to treatment, especially in the context of brain stimulation interventions. The article emphasizes the importance of integrating imaging with differential treatment prediction and outcome measurement, and suggests that a greater focus on individual patient imaging data will enhance the clinical relevance of neuroimaging in psychiatry. Additionally, the authors discuss the potential of combining brain stimulation with neuroimaging to provide more precise targeting and measurement of treatment effects. They conclude by outlining the need for standardized protocols and consortia to improve the reliability and reproducibility of UHF MRI studies, and highlight the importance of balancing group-level and individualized data to enhance the clinical utility of neuroimaging in psychiatry.
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[slides and audio] Elevating the field for applying neuroimaging to individual patients in psychiatry