Mapping the brain: AI-driven radiomic approaches to mental disorders

The human brain is the most intricate organ, comprising trillions of synaptic connections and governing every thought, feeling, and action. However, abnormalities in its structure or dysfunction in neural connections can often underpin the development of mental disorders. Mental health conditions affect nearly 1 in 8 people globally, creating a significant challenge for healthcare systems to manage. Advances in neuroimaging and artificial intelligence (AI) hold the potential to transform mental health diagnosis and treatment by enabling the timely detection of these disorders. Radiomics, a technique that extracts quantitative features, has emerged as a promising approach for improving diagnostic accuracy and predicting treatment response. This review explores the current status of radiomics-based applications derived from neuroimaging and AI in addressing various mental disorders categorized under the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). These include bipolar and anxiety disorders, depressive and neurodevelopmental disorders, schizophrenia spectrum and other psychosis, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Internet Gaming Disorder. The findings highlight the critical role of radiomic features and identify the brain regions associated with each disorder, alongside the tools, algorithms, and methodologies used. While the review also discusses limitations and challenges in radiomics research, it underscores the potential of radiomics and AI to identify significant biomarkers for the precise diagnosis of mental health conditions, as well as to enhance precision in treatment response. The potential of this technology could offer new approaches for the diagnosis and personalized treatment of mental disorders, ultimately improving the well-being of millions people worldwide.