Optimise and predict antidepressant efficacy for patient with major depressive disorders using multi-omics analysis and AI-predictive tool

280M of people worldwide suffers from major depressive disorders (MDD). Although a well-populated therapeutic landscape of anti-depre280M of people worldwide suffers from major depressive disorders (MDD). Although a well- populated therapeutic landscape of anti-depressants, the number of patients in remission is particularly low with not more than 6% of the patients who benefit from the current therapeutic journey.

OPADE objective is to identify key biomarkers that support the decision-making process of the healthcare providers. The project focuses on the microbiota – brain -axis which plays a major role in mental health and in particular MDD. Through clinical investigations, the consortium partners will study the combination between genetics, epigenetics, microbiome and inflammatory networks to:

• Establish patient profiles to predict and optimise the efficacy of the antidepressants prescribed with an increase in the remission rate and reduction of impairment of real-life functioning,
• Establish the possible correlation between neuroinflammatory indices, target indicators of the microbiome, metabolomics, immune-profile linked, epigenomic, enzymatic algorithms,
• Evaluate molecular and non-molecular biomarkers that may represent predictive indices of recurrence
• Discover new molecular targets for a personalised approach,
• Improve the diagnostic accuracy for primary prevention,
• Evaluate retrospectively, using accurate anamnesis, the onset of depressive symptoms in adolescence.
• Establish how much and to what extent do blood biomarkers correlate with other specific biomarkers

350 patients between 14 and 50 years will be recruited in 4 EU and international countries for 24 months. Real-time EEG and patient cognitive assessment will be collected with blood, stool and saliva samples. Results and analysis will be used to train the AI / ML predictive tool, the main outcome of the project. A patient empowerment tool will be deployed over the project duration.