Depression comprises one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders. In the Netherlands, around 5% of the population is affected by this mood disorder and approximately 19% develop depression in their lifetime. The life expectancy of people suffering from this condition is shortened by 10 to 20 years when compared to the general population. In relation, depression represents one of the main contributors to the overall disease burden. Notably, around 20 to 30% of individuals suffering from depression do not respond to multiple steps of antidepressant treatment, a condition often called difficult-to-treat depression (DTD).
The Netherlands Network for Difficult-to-Treat Depression (NDTD) comprises a collaboration that aims to improve the treatment of DTD in clinical practice and towards a better positioning of novel pharmacological agents. The network was formalized with a grant endorsed by Health Holland Top Sector Life Sciences & Health (LSH) - Top Consortia for Knowledge and Innovation (TKI) in 2023 and comprises a unique cooperation between all stakeholders involved in the care pathway of DTD. This includes university medical centres, specialized mental healthcare institutions, patient and family/carers organizations, knowledge centres, and pharmaceutical companies.
The main objective of the NDTD is to stimulate research and clinical collaboration to improve the treatment of DTD in clinical practice. Using a broad range of research methods and advanced data science, the NDTD takes an innovative approach to studying conventional and novel treatment strategies in both a clinical and research setting. To reach the overall objective, the NDTD aims to answer the following questions:
Depression has a large impact on the social and societal functioning of individuals. In the Netherlands, depression represents the condition with the highest contribution to work absenteeism. Importantly, DTD affects up to 100.000 individuals in the country, and it is estimated that this condition is responsible for around 80% of the societal costs related to depression.
Given the profound impact of DTD on healthcare utilization, daily functioning, and quality of life, it is urgent to improve treatment outcomes in this relatively large group of patients. Research within the NDTD aims to advance the treatment of DTD in clinical practice resulting in better care for individual patients. This will improve the overall health, longevity, and societal participation of Dutch citizens, which will, in turn, reduce the burden of the disease on individuals and society.
Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG)
Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Centre (Amsterdam UMC)
Department of Difficult-to-Treat Depressive Disorders, Parnassia Groep (PsyQ), The Hague
Expertisecentrum Depressie, Pro Persona, Nijmegen
Depressie Vereniging
MIND National Platform Mental Health
Nederlands Kenniscentrum Angst, Dwang, Trauma, en Depressie (NedKAD)
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
Novartis
COMPASS Pathways
Health Holland: Top Sector Life Sciences & Health (LSH) - Top Consortia for Knowledge and Innovation’s (TKI)
This project is part of research group Psychedelic Treatment and Mechanisms
University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
University Center of Psychiatry (UCP)
PO Box 30.001
9700 RB Groningen
The Netherlands
University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
University Center of Psychiatry (UCP)
Hanzeplein 1, Triadegebouw
9713 GZ Groningen
