2023 Volume 34 Issue 4 Pages 171-178
Since the multi‐site properly‐harmonized datasets in human brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been available, the machine learning classifiers to predict clinical diagnoses and prognosis and the biological reclassification in psychiatric disorders will be used in clinical practice soon. When these new research paradigms become more common, hierarchical dataset combining with genetic information, etc., will be important for elucidating the pathophysiology and developing clinically applicable tools in multiple psychiatric disorders. There are several reasons why brain imaging research on psychiatric disorders should be promoted in Japan, especially, one reason is that psychiatrists are deeply involved in the research. The development of biological tools collaborating with clinicians and patients is important in the phase of clinical application. In terms of understanding pathophysiology, brain imaging data across the life course from childhood to old age, especially during adolescence, combing with hierarchical database is expected to be utilized. As these datasets continue to expand in both quality and quantity, psychiatrists will become limited roles in the whole research projects. However, the psychiatrists need to organize cross‐disciplinary teams to lead to an appropriate form of the clinical research in psychiatry.
