Identifying Depression Early in Adolescence (IDEA) project and biomarkers of adolescent depression

• In Event: Novel approaches for identifying and understanding risk for adolescent depression in a global context

Abstract

Aims. The identification of adolescents at risk of depression is a necessary step to enable development of early intervention and prevention strategies and to reduce the increasing prevalence of depression. The aim of this talk will be to introduce the multidisciplinary IDEA project and present novel findings from a systematic review on the association between biological markers and psychosocial risk factors for adolescent depression.
Methods. We searched systematically electronic databases since inception until 31st July 2018, including MEDLINE (via Ovid), PsycINFO, Web of Science (Core Collection), Lilacs, and Global Health. We included studies involving adolescents between age 10 and 25 years old that examined the association between biological markers and psychosocial risk factors in major depressive disorder (MDD) during adolescence.
Results. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. All the studies but one were from high-income countries. Main results from the review show increased inflammation and brain abnormalities associated with increased risk for MDD mainly in the context of childhood trauma. There was little evidence that the neurobiological changes investigated were associated with MDD in the context of recent life stress.
Conclusions. The IDEA project is currently developing a new global expert statement on early detection of adolescent depression. Initial findings from the systematic review have identified potential biomarkers, which could guide or be targeted for future prevention strategies for adolescent depression.

Authors

• Valeria Mondelli, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London
  Presenting Author

• Zuzanna Zajkowska, King's College London
  Non-Presenting Author

• Annabel Walsh, King's College London
  Non-Presenting Author

• Valentina Zonca, King's College London
  Non-Presenting Author

• Brandon Kohrt, George Washington University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Helen L Fisher, King's College London
  Non-Presenting Author

• Abiodun Adewuya, Lagos State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Rakesh Karmacharya, Harvard University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Johnna Swartz, University of California - Davis
  Non-Presenting Author

• Christian Kieling, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)
  Non-Presenting Author