Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Neuropsychiatric Disorders—2nd Edition

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Diagnosis and Prognosis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 122

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico City, Mexico
Interests: neuropsychiatry; mania; MRI
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the ongoing changes in social pressure and our contemporary lifestyles, the incidence of neuropsychiatric disorders (including autism, depression, mania, etc.) is on the rise, becoming a global health issue. Due to these disorders’ complex and diverse symptoms, and the fact that many diseases overlap, there are many difficulties in their diagnosis and a high risk of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. This Special Issue aims to share the latest advancements in the diagnosis and management of neuropsychiatric disorders, explore pathogenic mechanisms, focus on the latest diagnostic technologies, and help patients receive timely and correct treatment. The scope includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders;
2. Imaging diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disorders;
3. Biomarkers in the diagnosis and management of neuropsychiatric disorders;
4. Prognostic evaluation of neuropsychiatric disorder treatment.

We welcome your contributions.

Dr. Jesús Ramírez-Bermúdez
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • neuropsychiatric disorders
  • autism
  • mania
  • depression
  • imaging
  • diagnosis
  • prognosis

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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32 pages, 615 KiB  
Systematic Review
Leaky Gut Biomarkers as Predictors of Depression and Suicidal Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Donato Morena, Matteo Lippi, Matteo Scopetti, Emanuela Turillazzi and Vittorio Fineschi
Diagnostics 2025, 15(13), 1683; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15131683 - 1 Jul 2025
Abstract
Background: The gut–brain axis (GBA) has been demonstrated to be involved in normal neurodevelopment, with its dysfunction potentially contributing to the onset of mental disorders. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to examine the relationship between levels of specific biomarkers of [...] Read more.
Background: The gut–brain axis (GBA) has been demonstrated to be involved in normal neurodevelopment, with its dysfunction potentially contributing to the onset of mental disorders. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to examine the relationship between levels of specific biomarkers of intestinal permeability or inflammation and scores of depressive symptoms or suicidality. Methods: All studies investigating the link between depressive symptoms and/or suicidality and biomarkers associated with intestinal permeability or inflammation were included. Studies providing data for comparisons between two groups—depressive or suicidal patients vs. healthy controls, or suicidal vs. non-suicidal patients—were included in the meta-analysis. Studies examining the correlation between depressive symptoms and biomarker levels were also included into the review. Data were independently extracted and reviewed by multiple observers. A random-effects model was employed for the analysis, and Hedge’s g was pooled for the effect size. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 index. Results: Twenty-two studies provided data for inclusion in the meta-analysis, while nineteen studies investigated the correlation between depressive symptoms and biomarker levels. For depressive symptoms, when compared to the controls, patients showed significantly increased levels of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) (ES = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.11 to 0.61; p = 0.004; I2 = 71.61%), zonulin (ES = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.02 to 1.36; p = 0.044; I2 = 92.12%), antibodies against bacterial endotoxins (ES = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.54 to 0.98; p < 0.001; I2 = 0.00%), and sCD14 (ES = 0.11; 95% CI = 0.01 to 0.21; p = 0.038; I2 = 10.28%). No significant differences were found between the patients and controls in levels of LPS-binding protein (LBP) and alpha-1 antitrypsin (A-1-AT). For suicidality, four studies were identified for quantitative analysis, three of which focused on I-FABP. No significant differences in I-FABP levels were observed between suicidal patients and the controls (ES = 0.24; 95% CI = −0.30 to 0.79; p = 0.378; I2 = 86.44%). Studies investigating the correlation between depressive symptoms and levels of intestinal permeability and inflammation biomarkers did not provide conclusive results. Conclusions: A significant difference was observed between patients with depressive symptoms and controls for biomarkers of intestinal permeability (zonulin, which regulates tight junctions), inflammatory response to bacterial endotoxins (antibodies to endotoxins and sCD14—a soluble form of the CD14 protein that modulates inflammation triggered by lipopolysaccharides), and acute intestinal epithelial damage (I-FABP, released upon enterocyte injury). Studies investigating suicidality and related biomarkers were limited in number and scope, preventing definitive conclusions. Overall, these findings suggest that biomarkers of gut permeability represent a promising area for further investigation in both psychiatric and forensic pathology. They may have practical applications, such as supporting diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making in clinical settings and providing pathologists with additional information to help determine the manner of death in forensic investigations. Full article
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