Trends in big data analyses by multicenter collaborative translational research in psychiatry

Abstract

The underlying pathologies of psychiatric disorders, which cause substantial personal and social losses, remain unknown, and their elucidation is an urgent issue. To clarify the core pathological mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders, in addition to laboratory-based research that incorporates the latest findings, it is necessary to conduct large-sample-size research and verify reproducibility. For this purpose, it is critical to conduct multicenter collaborative research across various fields, such as psychiatry, neuroscience, molecular biology, genomics, neuroimaging, cognitive science, neurophysiology, psychology, and pharmacology. Moreover, collaborative research plays an important role in the development of young researchers. In this respect, the Enhancing Neuroimaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) consortium and Cognitive Genetics Collaborative Research Organization (COCORO) have played important roles. In this review, we first overview the importance of multicenter collaborative research and our target psychiatric disorders. Then, we introduce research findings on the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders from neurocognitive, neurophysiological, neuroimaging, genetic, and basic neuroscience perspectives, focusing mainly on the findings obtained by COCORO. It is our hope that multicenter collaborative research will contribute to the elucidation of the pathological basis of psychiatric disorders.

Keywords: COCORO; autism spectrum disorder; bipolar disorder; major depressive disorder; schizophrenia.

Fig 1

Schematic of bidirectional translational research (forward translation and reverse translation) between clinical research and basic neuroscience in psychiatry. Clinical research needs to detect novel biomarkers, by focusing on specific targets (hypothesis‐driven) or using big data (data‐driven), that are translatable to basic research. Basic research needs to detect novel animal models that would be useful for preclinical testing. These clinical and basic studies need to be performed bidirectionally through forward translation and reverse translation to achieve patient‐centered translational therapeutic research. (Figure made by Yoji Hirano)

Fig 2

Institutions of the Cognitive Genetics Collaborative Research Organization (COCORO). The Cognitive Genetics Collaborative Research Organization (COCORO) consists of many psychiatric facilities in Japan. COCORO means “mind” in Japanese. There are 38 institutes participating in COCORO, which have been updated from Koshiyama et al The purpose of COCORO is to elucidate the mechanisms of psychiatric disorders and brain functions. Abbreviations: Med, Medical; NCNP, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry; NIPS, National Institute for Physiological Sciences; Psy Cen, Psychiatric Center; QST, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology; Riken BSI, Riken Brain Science Institute; Tokyo Metro Inst, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science; Univ, University; UOEH, University of Occupational and Environmental Health.