Title:Research Domain Criteria (RDoC): A Perspective to Probe the Biological Background behind Treatment Efficacy in Depression
Volume: 28
Issue: 22
Author(s): Marco Calabrò, Chiara Fabbri, Siegfried Kasper, Joseph Zohar, Daniel Souery, Stuart Montgomery, Diego Albani, Gianluigi Forloni, Panagiotis Ferentinos, Dan Rujescu, Julien Mendlewicz, Roberto Colombo, Diana De Ronchi, Alessandro Serretti*Concetta Crisafulli
Affiliation:
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna,Italy
Keywords:
Research domain criteria, major depressive disorder, antidepressant, behavioral paradigm, RDoC Constructs,
drug targets.
Abstract:
Background: Major Depressive Disorder(MDD) and its frequent partial response to antidepressants
are a major health concern and therefore an important focus of research. Despite the efforts,
MDD pathogenesis and the mechanisms of antidepressant action are only partially understood. In the last
few years, the need of rethinking the classification of depressive disorders and psychiatric disorders, in
general, has been suggested, in order to provide a nosology that reflects more closely the biological background
associated with disease pathogenesis and its role/significance in treatment. The classification proposed
by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), namely the research domain criteria (RDoC),
may represent a key framework to guide research in this direction.
Methods: A literature search was performed on PubMed and Google Scholar databases in order to retrieve
data regarding Antidepressants effects on specific RDoC constructs. Further, the targets of drugs of
interest were identified through the Drug bank database, and their possible function within RDoC constructs
was discussed.
Discussion: In this review, we summarize and discuss the significance of the results of pre-clinical and
clinical studies investigating specific RDoC paradigms relevant to depressive phenotypes and antidepressant
effects.
Conclusion: The RDoC framework may facilitate a more specific use of antidepressants based on the individual’s
spectrum of symptoms and the development of new compounds that target specific depressive
symptoms.
