โก Quick Summary
This review introduces a novel integrative framework for understanding and managing Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) by combining network pharmacology, artificial intelligence (AI), and multi-omics technologies. The framework emphasizes the importance of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in uncovering disease mechanisms and developing personalized therapies.
๐ Key Details
- ๐ Focus: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- ๐งฌ Technologies: Network pharmacology, AI, multi-omics (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics)
- ๐ฑ Case Study: Microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis
- ๐ Objectives: Predictive network models, biomarker discovery, drug repurposing
- โ ๏ธ Challenges: Data heterogeneity, model interpretability, clinical implementation
๐ Key Takeaways
- ๐ Integrative Approach: Combines multiple disciplines for a holistic understanding of MDD.
- ๐ง AI Integration: AI-powered models can identify clinically relevant biotypes and therapeutic targets.
- ๐ฌ Multi-Omics Data: Incorporates genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics for comprehensive analysis.
- ๐ฆ Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: Highlights its role in neuroimmune alterations and metabolic dysfunction.
- ๐ Precision Psychiatry: Aims to develop personalized therapies based on individual patient profiles.
- ๐ Future Directions: Emphasizes the need for longitudinal studies and explainable AI systems.
- ๐ค Collaboration: Encourages collaboration between computational biology and clinical practice.

๐ Background
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a complex condition that significantly impacts global health. Traditional treatment methods often fall short due to the heterogeneous nature of the disorder. This review proposes a shift from reductionist approaches to a more integrated framework that considers the dynamic interactions within biological systems, particularly focusing on the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
๐๏ธ Study
The authors conducted a comprehensive review of existing literature to develop an integrative framework that combines network pharmacology, AI, and multi-omics technologies. They specifically examined the microbiota-gut-brain axis as a case study to illustrate how these elements interact and contribute to the pathophysiology of MDD.
๐ Results
The proposed framework successfully demonstrates how AI can facilitate the construction of predictive network models that uncover fundamental disease mechanisms. These models are instrumental in identifying novel therapeutic targets and clinically relevant biotypes, paving the way for personalized treatment strategies tailored to individual patients.
๐ Impact and Implications
This integrative framework has the potential to revolutionize the management of MDD by bridging the gap between computational biology and clinical practice. By leveraging AI and multi-omics data, healthcare providers can develop mechanism-based personalized therapies, ultimately improving patient outcomes and advancing the field of precision psychiatry.
๐ฎ Conclusion
The review underscores the importance of integrating diverse methodologies to fully realize the potential of precision psychiatry for MDD. Future success will depend on addressing challenges such as data heterogeneity and ensuring the interpretability of AI models. The authors advocate for a concerted effort to incorporate longitudinal multi-omics cohorts and ethically aligned AI systems to enhance the understanding and treatment of MDD.
๐ฌ Your comments
What are your thoughts on this innovative approach to understanding and treating Major Depressive Disorder? We invite you to share your insights in the comments below or connect with us on social media! ๐ฌ
A Novel Integrative Framework for Depression: Combining Network Pharmacology, Artificial Intelligence, and Multi-Omics with a Focus on the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis.
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) poses a significant global health burden, characterized by a complex and heterogeneous pathophysiology insufficiently targeted by conventional single-treatment approaches. This review presents an integrative framework incorporating network pharmacology, artificial intelligence (AI), and multi-omics technologies to advance a systems-level understanding and management of MDD. Its central contribution lies in moving beyond reductionist methods by embracing a holistic perspective that accounts for dynamic interactions within biological networks. The primary objective is to demonstrate how AI-powered integration of multi-omics data-spanning genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics-can enable the construction of predictive network models. These models are designed to uncover fundamental disease mechanisms, identify clinically relevant biotypes, and reveal novel therapeutic targets tailored to specific pathological contexts. Methodologically, the review examines the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis as an illustrative case study, detailing its pathogenic roles through neuroimmune alterations, metabolic dysfunction, and disrupted neuro-plasticity. Furthermore, we propose a translational roadmap that includes AI-assisted biomarker discovery, computational drug repurposing, and patient-specific “digital twin” models to advance precision psychiatry. Our analysis confirms that this integrated framework offers a coherent route toward mechanism-based personalized therapies and helps bridge the gap between computational biology and clinical practice. Nevertheless, important challenges remain, particularly pertaining to data heterogeneity, model interpretability, and clinical implementation. In conclusion, we stress that future success will require integrating prospective longitudinal multi-omics cohorts, high-resolution digital phenotyping, and ethically aligned, explainable AI (XAI) systems. These concerted efforts are essential to realize the full potential of precision psychiatry for MDD.
Author: [‘Zhang L’, ‘Chen K’, ‘Li S’, ‘Liu S’, ‘Wang Z’]
Journal: Curr Issues Mol Biol
Citation: Zhang L, et al. A Novel Integrative Framework for Depression: Combining Network Pharmacology, Artificial Intelligence, and Multi-Omics with a Focus on the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis. A Novel Integrative Framework for Depression: Combining Network Pharmacology, Artificial Intelligence, and Multi-Omics with a Focus on the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis. 2025; 47:(unknown pages). doi: 10.3390/cimb47121061