Section - Quick Takes

04. Can Inflammatory Markers Guide Antidepressant Treatment Selection?

Published on January 30, 2026 Certification expiration date: January 30, 2029

James Phelps, M.D.

Research Editor - Psychopharmacology Institute

Key Points

CRP ≥1 may predict better response to noradrenergic antidepressants versus serotonergic medications.
Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio from standard CBC may identify inflammation-associated depression. NLR costs less than specialty tests like interleukins.
Combining CRP with NLR might strengthen antidepressant selection guidance affordably but comparison studies against standard care are still needed.

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Biomarkers To Guide Antidepressant Treatment Selection

Here’s a new article that sounds like it could show us how to use inflammatory markers to guide antidepressant treatment selection. The title is A ssociation Between Systemic Inflammatory Markers and Depression: A Meta-analysis . But alas, no, this paper doesn’t go as far as guiding medication choice.

Nevertheless, use of such markers is common just like use of genetic test results is becoming common whether that’s a good idea or not at this point. So anticipating the future, we can use this article to get prepared for the use of biomarkers to guide treatment of depression.

Affordable Biomarkers Show Predictive Value

This simple and inexpensive blood test, C-reactive protein (CRP), has in several studies shown predictive power regarding which antidepressant will work better.

In this new paper, Xiaowei Jiang and colleagues used the similarly inexpensive complete blood count, the one you’re all familiar

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05. Panic Disorder: Is Propranolol Useful for Early Somatic Symptoms?

Learning Objectives:
After completing this activity, the learner will be able to:
1. Evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of high-dose olanzapine (30-40 mg/day) compared to clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
2. Apply evidence from the OPTIMUM trial to select appropriate augmentation or switching strategies for treatment-resistant depression in older adults.
3. Identify patients on lithium therapy who may be at increased risk for elevated lithium levels when initiating GLP-1 receptor agonists and implement appropriate monitoring strategies.
4. Describe the potential role of C-reactive protein and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in predicting antidepressant response.
5. Describe the potential role of adjunctive low-dose propranolol for female patients with panic disorder experiencing significant somatic symptoms during the initial weeks of SSRI treatment.

Original Release Date: January 30, 2026
Expiration Date: January 30, 2029

Experts: Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., Scott R. Beach, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., James Phelps, M.D. & Derick Vergne, M.D.
Medical Editors: Flavio Guzmán, M.D. & Sebastián Malleza M.D.

Relevant Financial Disclosures:
Oliver Freudenreich declares the following interests:
– Karuna: Research grant to institution, advisory board
– Vida: Consultant
– American Psychiatric Association: Consultant
– Medscape: Speaker
– Wolters-Kluwer: Royalties, editor
– National Council for Wellbeing: Consultant

All the relevant financial relationships listed above have been mitigated by Medical Academy and the Psychopharmacology Institute.

None of the other faculty, planners, and reviewers for this educational activity has relevant financial relationships to disclose during the last 24 months with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Contact Information: For questions regarding the content or access to this activity, contact us at support@psychopharmacologyinstitute.com

Instructions for Participation and Credit:
Participants must complete the activity online within the valid credit period noted above.

Follow these steps to earn CME credit:

View the required educational content provided on this course page.
Complete the Post-Activity Evaluation to provide the necessary feedback for continuing accreditation purposes and for the development of future activities. NOTE: Completing the Post Activity Evaluation after the quiz is required to receive the earned credit.
Download your certificate.

Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Medical Academy LLC and the Psychopharmacology Institute. Medical Academy is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement
Medical Academy designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.