Mapping individual brains to better understand psychiatric conditions
Millions of people live with psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. However, people with the same diagnosis often experience very different symptoms, making it difficult to develop effective, personalised treatments.
Dr Matilde Vaghi and her team are investigating how differences in brain networks contribute to psychiatric conditions, with a particular focus on obsessive-compulsive disorder which is highly debilitating and in the top 10 causes of years lost to disability.
Using a technique called precision functional mapping, they are creating highly detailed maps of how an individual's brain functions instead of relying on averages from large groups of people. This approach helps researchers understand how each person's unique pattern of brain connections influences their thoughts, emotions and behaviour. Ultimately, this research could help explain why psychiatric conditions affect people differently and pave the way for more personalised mental healthcare.
Why is this research important?
Most brain research has traditionally focused on group averages, but every brain is different. This is especially important in mental health, where people with the same diagnosis can experience very different symptoms. Precision functional mapping allows researchers to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach and better understand how each person's brain works. This could lead to more accurate diagnoses and treatments tailored to individual needs.
How is the research being conducted?
Participants undergo non-invasive MRI brain scans that measure how different parts of the brain communicate over time, and they also complete behavioural tasks during or after scanning. The researchers then use advanced computational techniques to map how different brain regions communicate and how these networks are organised in each participant.
Has the research had any findings yet?
Research to date has shown that brain networks involved in decision-making and emotional regulation vary considerably between individuals. These differences may help explain why people with the same psychiatric diagnosis experience different symptoms and respond differently to treatment.
What do you hope the impact of the research will be?
It is hoped this research will move beyond group-averages to improve our understanding of the neurobiological basis of psychiatric conditions and support the development of more personalised mental healthcare. By creating detailed maps of individual brains, the researchers aim, in the long-term, to improve diagnosis, identify more targeted treatments and, ultimately, improve outcomes for people living with psychiatric conditions.
- Full project title: Precision Psychiatry for Compulsivity
- Project funding: £1,711,240
- Funder: Medical Research Council
- Dates of research: September 2024 to September 2029
- Lead researcher: Dr Matilde Vaghi
- Lab website: https://www.vaghilab.org/