Neurobiological Heterogeneity in Major Depression Disorder: Understanding the Clinical Differences

Dekken, Rianne van (2025) Neurobiological Heterogeneity in Major Depression Disorder: Understanding the Clinical Differences. Pre-master Essay, Biomedical Sciences.

Preview	Text S6288715thesispremasterBMS.pdf Download (3MB) | Preview
	Text Toestemming.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (156kB)

Abstract

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and disabling mental health condition that is marked by significant heterogeneity in symptoms, disease, and treatment response. Despite standardized DSM-V criteria, many individuals suffer from distress without meeting these diagnostic thresholds, underscoring the complexity of MDD. This suggests that MDD may not be a single uniform disease, but rather a spectrum of conditions with diverse biological mechanisms. This thesis aims to evaluate whether neurobiological markers can provide a more objective basis for stratifying individuals with MDD than current symptom-based criteria, ultimately improving diagnosis and patient outcomes. Recent research supports the presence of distinct biological subtypes within MDD, reflected in variability across brain structure and function, neurotransmitter systems, hormonal profiles, inflammatory markers, and genetics. Neuroimaging findings link brain alterations to emotional and cognitive processes, while neurotransmitter imbalances are associated with specific symptom profiles. Hormonal and inflammatory markers reveal additional complexity, and genetic studies indicate that MDD is influenced by many small-effect variants rather than a single gene. In conclusion, advancing the understanding of biological heterogeneity in MDD has the potential to enhance diagnostic precision, improve prediction of treatment response, and facilitate personalized treatment approaches, leading to better patient care

Item Type:	Thesis (Pre-master Essay)
Supervisor name:	Kas, M.J.H.
Degree programme:	Biomedical Sciences
Thesis type:	Pre-master Essay
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	26 Jun 2025 07:33
Last Modified:	26 Jun 2025 07:33
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/35534

Actions (login required)

View Item