Biomarkers in psychiatry: a clinician's viewpoint.

INTRODUCTION: The dearth of biomarkers limits the precision of our research into pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders and has slowed down the development of new drugs. In clinical practice, it undermines the validity of psychiatric diagnoses and hampers the delivery of personalized treatment. SOURCES OF DATA: The data quoted in this paper are gathered from a range of sources encompassing scientific and journalistic both in print and electronic. AREAS OF AGREEMENT: Availability of clinically useful biomarkers will improve the prognosis and outcome of psychiatric patients by helping in early diagnosis and delivery of individualized treatment. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY: The cross-sectional and longitudinal observation of psychopathology is the bedrock of current clinical practice. Are psychiatric biomarkers advanced enough to supplant it? GROWING POINTS: The need for biomarkers of psychiatric disorders has become more acute with the advent of new treatments which require precision and an individualized approach. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH: Identification and deployment of intermediate phenotypes in classification, research and clinical practice of psychiatry.