 Spectrum --
May 2008
 Introduction:
The diagnosis of psychiatric diseases is an inexact science
and a slow process for physicians. No laboratory tests are available to
determine the exact disease--or treatment. New diagnostic technologies could
offer earlier, more specific diagnosis of a psychiatric disease and even direct
potential drug therapy. In this report, we discuss the treatment challenges
that confront physicians and patients and review current and emerging
diagnostic tests that are expected to change the way in which psychiatric
diseases are diagnosed. This report also features three Expert Commentaries,
two offering input from the diagnostic technology industry, and one
highlighting Decision Resources’ primary research with physicians who discuss
their views of biomarker-based diagnostic tests for psychiatry.
Get the Answers You Need to Shape Your Strategy:
 The diagnosis of mental illness is far from an exact science,
with no laboratory tests to confirm a disorder or offer treatment strategies. What
technologies are emerging that will expedite diagnosis and treatment of
psychiatric disorders? How will these technologies affect R&D within the
pharmaceutical industry?
EEG, molecular, genetic, and imaging diagnostics are all
poised for use in the field of psychiatry. How will the technologies that
exist to aid diagnosis expand into the field of mental health? What companies
already have clinical trials under way and what diagnostic tools are they
using? How will these studies target patient response to some of today’s most
popular psychiatric drugs? What challenges do manufacturers face when
developing these diagnostics?
Expert Commentaries: two company executives and one market
analyst discuss the impact of novel diagnostics in the psychiatric arena. What
are thought leaders saying about the potential for biomarkers in mental health
diagnosis and treatment? How will a new EEG tool help psychiatrists target drug
therapy in their patients? How can gene-expression profiles lead to
differential diagnoses or offer insight into disease-specific subtyping?
Scope:
Difficulties diagnosing mental illness: addressing
similar symptomatology; multiple mental illnesses in one patient; challenges in
determining optimal treatment; current medical practice for psychiatric
indications.
Current and emerging diagnostic technologies for
psychiatric indications: EEG (Aspect Medical Systems, CNS Response, Memory
Pharmaceuticals/Roche); molecular diagnostics (Clinical Data, CombiMatrix,
Curidium Medica, Roche/Affymetrix, Vanda Pharmaceuticals); diagnostic imaging
(Alseres).
Psychiatric disorders: attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder; autism spectrum disorder; bipolar disorder; major depression;
schizophrenia; psychotic disorders.
Business considerations: review of partnerships and
licensing activities; benefits of drug/theranostic codevelopment; challenges
and opportunities.
|
