Westmead Fellow, and Westmead Institute for Medical Research researcher, Associate Professor Mayuresh Korgaonkar, is at the forefront of groundbreaking research in mental health, pushing the boundaries of personalised medicine and our understanding of suicidality.
Associate Professor Korgaonkar has received this Westmead Fellowship for the last three years and produced a considerable body of work in that time.
He recently published two significant papers in leading scientific journals: “Personalized brain circuit scores identify clinically distinct biotypes in depression and anxiety” in Nature Medicine and “The neural connectome of suicidality in adults with mood and anxiety disorders” in Nature Mental Health.
These studies highlight his innovative approach to understanding and treating mental health conditions.
“One of the biggest problems, is that psychiatry has always relied on using symptoms as a guide to fit every patient into a one size fits all approach,” Associate Professor Korgaonkar said.
His research aims to change this by utilising advanced imaging techniques to identify unique “biotypes” within individuals experiencing depression and anxiety.
“Our approach is to move away from this symptom-based diagnosis to more biologically define diagnosis. We’re using biology to characterise the individual and then understand what the best treatment is for that biology rather than that particular diagnosis.”
By analysing brain networks and their connectivity, Associate Professor Korgaonkar and his team can identify distinct patterns associated with different treatment responses.
“The aim is to identify which treatments are most suited for a biotype, so that when a patient walks in into a clinic, we do an MRI scan to allocate a biotype. If we know which biotype they belong to and then find the best treatment based on our knowledge of that biotype, then this treatment is more likely to work for the individual.”
This personalised approach has the potential to revolutionise mental health care by minimising the “trial and error” of current treatment methods and ensuring patients receive the most effective therapies.
“The neural connectome of suicidality in adults with mood and anxiety disorders” study delves into the neural foundations of suicidality.
“We found these networks which are more associated with sensory type functions were reduced in people who overall had suicidal tendencies.”
“It’s interesting that these networks were interconnected under suicidal tendency. This tells us what exactly is happening in the brain for people who have suicidal tendencies. But this pattern is consistent across different types of mental disorders. Irrespective of your diagnosis, this is a common pattern across different conditions.”
This groundbreaking research provides crucial insights into the biological mechanisms of suicidal ideation, paving the way for more targeted interventions and improved outcomes for individuals at risk.
Associate Professor Korgaonkar emphasises the importance of translating these research findings into clinical practice.
“The goal would be to add these quantifiable metrics as a report which can go back to the psychiatrist to be used to understand the biology of their patients.”
This integration of cutting-edge research with clinical care will ultimately improve the lives of individuals living with mental health conditions across Western Sydney and beyond.
If you, or someone you know, is in a life-threatening situation please seek help immediately by calling 000.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
The NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 is a 24/7 service that can advise you on appropriate local mental health services for you or a loved one.