Biomarkers of Depression Risk, Resilience, and Treatment Response

This research area focuses on identifying measurable biological indicators that can predict who is at risk for developing depression, who will be resilient despite adversity, and who will respond to specific treatments. Our work encompasses multiple domains including neuroimaging signatures, genetic and epigenetic markers, inflammatory biomarkers, hormonal profiles, and electrophysiological measures. We investigate how brain structure and function, immune system activity, stress hormone levels, and molecular signatures can serve as objective tools for diagnosis and prognosis. The discovery of reliable biomarkers would revolutionize depression care by enabling early intervention for at-risk individuals, identifying protective factors that promote resilience, and matching patients to the most effective treatments, thereby reducing the current trial-and-error approach to depression management.