Analyzing 10 years of blood samples from individuals receiving treatment for schizophrenia, schozoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder at a VA Medical Center, researchers recently identified biomarkers that predicted the experience of high levels of hallucinations and delusions, respectively. Notably, some of the identified biomarkers are targeted by existing medications, suggesting that biomarker-based treatment protocols may be able to offer more individualized pharmacological care than the typical trial-and-error approach. Further research is needed, but the study represents progress toward more objective diagnosis and treatment of psychosis conditions. To learn more, see the study in Molecular Biology and a summary in NIH Research Matters.
