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Toward Clinically Applicable Biomarkers in Bipolar Disorder: Focus on BDNF, Inflammatory Markers, and Endothelial Function

  • Bipolar Disorders (WH Coryell, Section Editor)
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Abstract

The importance of biomarkers to many branches of medicine is illustrated by their utility in diagnosis and monitoring treatment response and outcome. There is much enthusiasm in the field of mood disorders on the emergence of clinically relevant biomarkers with several potential targets. While there are generally accepted criteria to establish a biomarker, such approaches are premature for our field as we acquire evidence on the most relevant candidates. A number of components of the inflammatory pathway are supported by published data together with an increasing focus on brain-derived neurotrophic factor. These markers may have measurable impacts on endothelial function, which may be particularly amenable to study in clinical samples. The adolescent population is a key focus as identifying biomarkers before the onset of comorbid medical conditions and which may help direct early intervention seem especially promising. A systematic approach to biomarker development in mood disorders is clearly warranted.

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Conflict of Interest

Benjamin I. Goldstein has served as an unpaid consultant to Bristol-Myers Squibb, has received research support from Pfizer, and has received speaker’s honoraria from Purdue Pharma.

L. Trevor Young declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article contains preliminary data based on a sub-sample of the Course and Outcome of Bipolar Illness among Youth (COBY) study (MH59929, B. Birmaher PI), in which Dr. Goldstein is a co-investigator. That study was approved by the University of Pittsburgh Institutional Review Board, and all participants provided written informed consent.

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  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Benjamin I. Goldstein & L. Trevor Young

  2. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, FG-53, Toronto, ON, M4N-3M5, Canada

    Benjamin I. Goldstein

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  1. Benjamin I. Goldstein
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Correspondence to Benjamin I. Goldstein.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Bipolar Disorders

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Goldstein, B.I., Young, L.T. Toward Clinically Applicable Biomarkers in Bipolar Disorder: Focus on BDNF, Inflammatory Markers, and Endothelial Function. Curr Psychiatry Rep 15, 425 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-013-0425-9

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