To date the STRATIFY project has published 63 papers. Some key manuscripts are described below:
Alex Ing et. al. 'Identifying neurobehavioural symptom groups based on shared brain mechanisms', Nature Human Behaviour (2019).
We discovered symptom clusters with shared biology (see Figure). This paper describes a new method to find relations between behavioral symptoms, and neuroimaging measures of brain structure and function. By characterising behavioral symptom groups based on shared neural mechanisms, the results provide a framework for developing a classification system for psychiatric illness, which is based on quantitative neurobehavioural measures.
Evangelou et al., 'Novel alcohol-related genes suggest shared genetic mechanisms with neuropsychiatric disorders', Nature Human Behaviour (2019).
In a large GWAS meta-analysis we investigated 480.842 cases participants to decipher the genetic architecture of alcohol intake. The study identified genetic pathways associated with alcohol consumption and suggested shared genetic mechanisms with neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia.
Robinson L et al. Association of Genetic and Phenotypic Assessments With Onset of Disordered Eating Behaviors and Comorbid Mental Health Problems Among Adolescents. JAMA Network Open (2020).
The findings of this study delineate temporal associations and shared etiologies among disordered eating behaviour and other mental health disorders. We emphasize the potential of genetic and phenotypical assessments of obesity, behavioral disorders, and neuroticism to improve early and differential diagnosis of eating disorders.
Jia et. al. 'Neurobehavioural characterisation of reinforcement-related behaviour', Nature Human Behaviour (2020)
We describe the identification of stratification markers of externalising symptoms based on functional brain activity during reinforcement processes. Neural network underlying hyperactivity and inattention of ADHD while similar during reward anticipation, were distinct during motor inhibition, suggesting different neural mechanisms underlying distinct ADHD behaviours.
Zuo Zhang et al. Development of Disordered Eating Behaviors and Comorbid Depressive Symptoms in Adolescence: Neural and Psychopathological Predictors. Biological Psychiatry (2021).
Our findings suggest that alterations in frontal brain circuits are part of the shared etiology among eating disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and depression. We highlight the importance of a transdiagnostic approach to treating these conditions.
Xie C et al. A shared neural basis underlying psychiatric comorbidity. Nature Medicine. (2023)
We identify a reproducible and general neural basis underlying symptoms of multiple mental health disorders, bridging multidimensional evidence from behavioral, neuroimaging and genetic substrates. These findings may help to develop new therapeutic interventions for psychiatric comorbidities.
Qi L et al. Differing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth mental health: combined population and clinical study. BJPsych Open (2023).
In the population cohort, depression and eating disorder symptoms increased during the pandemic, respectively. By contrast, these remained high over time in the clinical cohort. Conversely, trajectories of alcohol misuse were similar in both cohorts, decreasing continuously during the pandemic. Pre-pandemic symptom severity predicted the observed mental health trajectories in the population cohort. Surprisingly, being relatively healthy predicted increases in depression and eating disorder symptoms and in body mass index. By contrast, those initially at higher risk for depression or eating disorders reported a lasting decrease. Thus, healthier young people may be at greater risk of developing depressive or eating disorder symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.
