PRISM2 was established to advance transdiagnostic research in neuropsychiatry by identifying and quantifying the neurobiological mechanisms underlying shared symptom domains across brain disorders. The Innovative Medicines Initiative project has generated a rich, multimodal dataset designed for reuse by the wider research community, and the PRISM2 data are now accessible through the EPND Hub, supporting long term sustainability and cross cohort research.

In this interview, Martien Kas, Professor of Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of Groningen, discusses the scientific value of the PRISM2 dataset, the importance of data and biosample sharing, and how access through EPND enables researchers to test new hypotheses across disease areas. Professor Kas has led and coordinated multiple large European research initiatives and previously served as President of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, where he helped shape the Precision Psychiatry Roadmap.

Read on to learn more!

The PRISM and PRISM2 projects have generated rich datasets which span different disease areas and domains. What makes them particularly valuable for the neuropsychiatric research community?

PRISM used a transdiagnostic approach to identify neurobiological markers linked to shared symptom domains across psychiatric and neurological disorders. The dataset includes demographic and clinical information, as well as task-based and resting-state imaging, EEG, behavioural, and digital measures collected from individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and matched healthy controls. Blood samples were also collected for additional analyses.

The PRISM projects combined multi-modal variables to understand and quantify the biology behind different neuropsychiatric symptoms. Why is data and biosample sharing important for projects like PRISM, and how can EPND support researchers to undertake cross-cohort – and cross-disease-area – studies?

Data sharing is essential as it enables the scientific community to test new hypotheses, independently validate previous findings, and explore unique datasets to better understand the transdiagnostic biology of shared symptom domains. The EPND platform provides access to a wide range of relevant clinical datasets for further analysis - which also ensures more efficient use of the research funding invested in their collection.

You’ve explained that PRISM is a concrete step towards precision psychiatry, moving beyond symptom labels towards quantitative phenotypes. What do you hope other researchers will do with the PRISM datasets, once they are available?

First, I hope we inspire researchers to embrace and build upon this transdiagnostic, biology-informed approach that goes beyond traditional diagnostic categories. Second, I hope the data enable researchers to test new and meaningful hypotheses that deepen our neurobiological understanding.

Ultimately, we must use data-driven methods to better understand patients and move toward precision diagnostics and treatments: bringing the right therapy to the right person at the right time. Making the PRISM2 dataset available to the community, through platforms including the EPND Hub, is an important step toward achieving this goal.

Want to learn more? Click here to explore PRISM2 on the EPND Hub!