This presentation was recorded on 21 January 2025 at the ECNP Roadmap Meeting on Precision Psychiatry in Frankfurt.
This presentation by Brenda Penninx explored the heterogeneity of depression, focusing on two distinct subtypes—atypical and typical depression—identified through symptom clustering. Atypical depression, also named immuno-metabolic depression, is a distinct subtype characterised by obesity, metabolic dysregulation, and elevated inflammation. Genetic and biomarker analyses confirm its biological basis, differentiating it from typical depression. Affected individuals show poor responses to antidepressants but may benefit from anti-inflammatory treatments and lifestyle interventions. This emphasises the need for precision psychiatry, advocating for harmonised assessments and collaborative research to refine treatment strategies. Understanding depression’s heterogeneity could improve interventions across psychiatric disorders, highlighting the importance of integrating immune and metabolic factors into clinical practice.
