By 2050, the global prevalence of Neuropsychiatric Disorders (NPDs), including conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and other cognitive and affective disorders, is projected to reach approximately 4.9 billion cases, representing a 22% increase from 2021 estimates. This significant rise is attributed to factors such as an aging global population and increasing environmental stressors. These disorders pose substantial challenges for early diagnosis and intervention, as they often exhibit overlapping symptoms and complex neurobiological mechanisms.
Despite advancements in neuroscience and medical imaging, current diagnostic approaches remain limited in accuracy and accessibility, relying heavily on subjective clinical assessments and single modality biomarkers.
To address this gap, the present study aims to adopt an integrated approach by leveraging the rich radiomics, genetics, metabolomics, proteomics, and comprehensive epidemiological data available in the UK Biobank. Through multidimensional analyses, we seek to identify novel risk factors, determine potential biomarkers, develop single-modality or multimodal diagnostic models, and elucidate the causal relationships underlying various neuropsychiatric disorders. This comprehensive approach will facilitate more personalized and timely interventions, ultimately improving patient outcomes and advancing the field of neuropsychiatric diagnostics.
