Developing the AAA Assessment Battery and a Multimodal Diagnostic Model for Stress-Related Disorders

The goal of this paper is to develop an RDoC-aligned precision psychiatry framework and multi-modal model for the implementation of precision psychiatry; by combining findings and theories from the fields of neurobiology, genetics, and psychology. Modern research has greatly advanced our knowledge of how disruptions in brain networks involve emotion, cognition, and behavior regulation in underlying mental disorders. However, research in these fields have yet to form a standardized framework for psychiatric disorders, limiting their effective application in clinical practice. Therefore, the secondary goal is to explain how interventions from these fields can support a more precise diagnosis and treatment planning framework, as well as identify the biological and neural pathways implicated in stress-related disorders. The integration of these methods allows for the identification of psychological profiles associated with differential responsiveness to interventions, such as psychotherapy and pharmacology. This responsiveness can be influenced by epigenetic regulation through molecular pathways associated with stress-related biological dysfunctions, learning, and neural plasticity. We also address common ethical, clinical, and implementation concerns surrounding precision psychiatry, including risks of stigmatization, limited generalizability, and discuss ways to reduce barriers to real-world clinical adoption. By combining epigenetic, neural circuit, and behavioral measures, this approach provides a framework for understanding how early life adversity, attachment, and individual differences interact to shape treatment response, offering a pathway toward more individualized and effective care.