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Figure 1 | Journal of Translational Medicine

Figure 1

From: Tracking the impact of translational research in psychiatry: state of the art and perspectives

Figure 1

Interface between basic and clinical research in mood disorders translational research, divided in phase I (translacional research  per se  ) e phase II (translating research advances into population benefits and improved health system). Translational research in psychiatry involves the development of useful animal behavioral models of psychiatric disorders and preclinical in vitro/vivo studies using brain cells. These are the first steps to test new compounds, which evaluate potential mechanisms of action and behavioral effects, focusing on the evaluation of predictive validity. When validated, these new agents are tested in phase 1 translational studies (pharmacokinetics, dose and tolerability), which together with clinical trial phase 2 studies (proof of concept trial evaluating efficacy). These two step use new tools and other technological advances (e.g. bioinformatics), also searching for potential biomarkers (preferentially in early phases). The next step in the translational paradigm involves the approval in phase 3 and posterior application of new public health policies focusing on prevention and early intervention in mental disorders.

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