ABSTRACT “Schizophrenia (SZ) impacts around 1% of the global population, posing diagnostic challenges that lead to a misdiagnosis rate of 23-40%. The need for reliable biomarkers is crucial to improve early detection and treatment outcomes. VOLABIOS aims to
revolutionize SZ management by harnessing innovative real-time and portable spectrograph technology to validate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as non-invasive and cost-effective biomarkers detectable during the early stages of the disease. This entails extensive data analysis, prospective clinical studies involving 3,692 subjects across six centres, and a blind validation study with 1,000 subjects, focusing on longitudinal monitoring of at-risk individuals to identify early SZ transition. To further substantiate the efficacy of VOCs and gain profound insights, VOLABIOS will integrate VOC analysis with genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics. This integration will be supported by a biobank comprising approximately 4,000 samples and a dataset consisting of 9 million records. By considering external and personal risk factors as well as biological responses, VOLABIOS aims to unravel intricate correlations that contribute to SZ development. This comprehensive approach will enhance prediction accuracy, facilitate early detection, and improve management strategies. Furthermore, VOLABIOS plans to explore the real-time effects of validated VOCs through controlled in-vivo experiments using animal models, providing valuable information about associated cellular and molecular pathways. VOLABIOS’s endeavours to validate and establish EU-wide SZ diagnosis protocols are set to significantly enhance patient care and healthcare efficiency, marking a substantial step forward in addressing the complexities surrounding SZ.” |
