Towards molecular diagnostics of parental alienation

High-conflict parental divorce can result in parental alienation (PA), leading to chronic psychological stress in children that adversely affects their mental and physical health. This stress may manifest as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, immune dysfunction, and cardiovascular, neurological, endocrine, or gastrointestinal issues. The inconsistent legal recognition of PA highlights the need for objective diagnostic tools to inform judicial decisions. We propose a panel of molecular biomarkers, derived from well-established indicators of chronic stress, to address the limited data specific to PA. This panel targets hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation, neurotransmitter dysregulation, inflammation, oxidative stress, epigenetic modifications, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, general practitioners, and legal professionals is crucial to validate and implement this panel, ultimately enhancing child welfare through early intervention.