Peer-Reviewed Literature Synthesis

Major Depressive Disorder Biomarker Atlas

Molecular alterations reported in Major Depressive Disorder compared to healthy controls, from peer-reviewed literature.

US DALYs3.50MWHO GHE 2021 · all ages
Global DALYs56.53MWHO GHE 2021 · worldwide
NIH funding$694MFY2025 · RCDC estimate
Funding levelUnderfunded
Spontaneous remissionRelapse in 19-45% within 1 year of antidepressant discontinuation after remission; relapse risk ratio (off-medication…
Best-intervention remission55-80% remain relapse-free at 1 year after well-managed discontinuation; psychotherapy (CBT) achieves comparable…
Gap sizeModerate; narrows substantially over time for maintenance medication question
Primary barrierpractice
Full remission profile →

Literature Overview

Biomarkers below are included only where peer-reviewed literature explicitly reports the marker's direction in Major Depressive Disorder patients relative to a named comparison population — not inferred.

11
Curated markers
4
Categories

Searchable Alterations Database

Comparison populations are quoted as reported in the source literature (e.g. healthy controls, disease-matched patients).

Marker / TestDirectionCategoryvs. ComparisonClinical ContextKey Reference

Key References

Peer-Reviewed Literature

He et al. 2020

DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.12.071 →
Peer-Reviewed Literature

Nobis et al. 2020

DOI: 10.3390/jcm9123793 →
Peer-Reviewed Literature

Jarkas et al. 2024

DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.07.037 →
Peer-Reviewed Literature

Asadikaram et al. 2019

DOI: 10.1002/pchj.290 →
Peer-Reviewed Literature

Harikaran et al. 2024

DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1460_23 →
Peer-Reviewed Literature

Arinami et al. 2023

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28449-8 →
Peer-Reviewed Literature

Lorkiewicz et al. 2021

DOI: 10.3390/jcm10184142 →
Peer-Reviewed Literature

Messaoud et al. 2022

DOI: 10.2174/1568026621666210909160210 →
Peer-Reviewed Literature

Köhler et al. 2017

DOI: 10.1111/acps.12698 →
Disclaimer: Educational synthesis of peer-reviewed literature only — not medical advice. Markers are drawn from published disease-vs-comparison-population studies; inclusion here does not imply diagnostic or clinical validation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for interpretation.

Individual Major Depressive Disorder biomarker pages

Each Major Depressive Disorder marker has its own page with direction, comparison group, symptoms, test details, citation and FAQ. Browse all marker pages.

Endocrine

Inflammatory

Neurological

Other

Cite this page

Reusing these data? Please cite the tracker so others can find the source.

Open Source Medicine Foundation. (2026). Major Depressive Disorder Biomarkers: 11 Blood & Lab Tests. Research Tracker. https://research.opensourcemed.info/major-depressive-disorder-biomarkers.html (accessed )

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