PHM5020 - Precision Mental Health - Department of Biochemistry – School of Medicine, National University of Singapore | Department of Biochemistry – School of Medicine, National University of Singapore

PHM5020 – Precision Mental Health

Course Overview

Precision Mental Health applies precision medicine principles to mental health disorders. Traditionally a symptom-based diagnosis model, mental health is heading towards a more objective, biologically-based “precision” approach with advances in ‘omics science. Examples of mental conditions and disorders which can now be defined by their underlying biological mechanisms will be discussed, integrating genomic, environmental and lifestyle factors to develop targeted interventions.

Learning Outcomes

Know what research methods are promising in Precision Mental Health
Learn how latest research show ‘omics technologies are promising for objective diagnosis, sub-typing, and monitoring of treatment in several mental health disorders.
Learn how data from different brain mapping approaches (fMRI, FNIRS, EEG, PET), brain connectomics, and other emerging technologies can be integrated with current mental health records and digital phenotyping (e.g. actigraphy, ecological momentary assessments, chatbot interactions).
Acquire a better appreciation of how the future of precision mental health will be shaped through understanding what areas of research are leading to a comprehensive, individualized model of a person’s mental health and illness.
Appreciate that unlike other areas of precision health and medicine, precision psychiatry faces enormous challenges and understand how these challenges are being addressed.