Blood test for Depression

[Kaere]

Interesting, I think. Now if they can just find a way to treat it that doesn't involve drugging a person senseless or making the condition worse, that'd be great.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/researchers-develop-first-blood-test-to-diagnose-adult-depression-1.2009150

U.S. researchers have developed a blood test that can diagnose depression in adults by identifying nine different markers that are linked to the illness.

The blood test provides doctors with the first objective method of scientifically diagnosing depression, according to researchers at Northwestern University.

The research group said the test can also predict who is vulnerable to depression and which patients will benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy. The blood test can also show whether cognitive behavioural therapy is effective for a particular patient, by measuring the changes in the levels of the different markers in the blood.

Prof. Eva Redei, who developed the test, said it marks a major medical breakthrough.

"This clearly indicates that you can have a blood-based laboratory test for depression, providing a scientific diagnosis in the same way someone is diagnosed with high blood pressure or high cholesterol," she said in a statement. "This test brings mental health diagnosis into the 21st century and offers the first personalized medicine approach to people suffering from depression."

The test works by measuring the levels of nine specific RNA blood markers. RNA (ribonucleic acid) is a group of molecules that perform different roles in interpreting the DNA genetic code.

Co-lead author Prof. David Mohr said that scientists have been searching for years for a biological diagnostic test for depression.

The current method of diagnosing depression is based on reporting and assessing non-specific symptoms including poor mood, fatigue and changes in appetite.

A diagnosis is based on the patient's ability to report their own symptoms, as well as the doctor's ability to interpret them. This can be problematic, as many depressed patients underreport their symptoms or can't adequately describe them, the researchers said.

"Mental health has been where medicine was 100 years ago when physicians diagnosed illnesses or disorders based on symptoms," Mohr said in the statement. "This study brings us much closer to having laboratory tests that can be used in diagnosis and treatment selection."

To develop the blood test the researchers tested 32 patients between the ages of 21 to 79 who had been previously diagnosed as depressed in a clinical interview. They also tested 32 non-depressed controls in the same age range.

The researchers found nine different RNA blood markers with levels significantly different in the depressed patients from those of the controls. It is these same nine markers that can diagnose depression.

The patients then received 18 weeks of therapy and were assessed again through clinical interviews to see if they were still depressed. Their blood was also tested again to see if there was any change in the levels of the markers.

Scientists observed that the levels of certain markers could differentiate between those patients who had responded positively to the therapy and those patients who remained depressed. They said this marks the first biological indicator of successful cognitive behavioural therapy.

[Rogue]

That's interesting. Could be quite a break through in substantiating a persons condition. Might just allow some to accept it, especially some men who won't admit to it.

[Kaere]

So true! If it can be shown by bloodwork, then it's "real", not all in your head. I feel that acceptance of it is about 25% of the battle through it...

[Agartha]

I like this.... a more medical method and not just the usual psychological mumbo-jumbo with theories that contradict each other.

I agree with you guys: a blood test will finally make it a 'real' condition and not just the 'assumption' that one is depressed.

[Monk (in hiding)]

18 weeks of therapy?

Ever been to their little group thinks?

Kinda like a AA meeting. lsol

[Kaere]

They didn't specify what kind of therapy, VM. We don't know if it was group or not.

[Monk (in hiding)]

They didn't specify what kind of therapy, VM. We don't know if it was group or not.

All they do is place a mirror in front of you. Therapy is a waste of time.

[Stirky]

Depends what type of therapy it is VM and depends on the person. Therapy can be a very very good thing.

[Monk (in hiding)]

Yeah, 'erbal therapy and time........ lsol

[Monk (in hiding)]

WEED WORKS!

Medical cannabis has been used for centuries to treat depression.  An English clergyman named Robert Burton stated in 1621 that cannabis was helpful to treat depression.  It was used for depression over 400 years ago in India.  In the 17th century, physicians in England to treat depression prescribed it.  In 1890, a British physician named J.R. Reynolds reviewed the previous 30 years of use of cannabis and determined that cannabis was helpful for depression and other illnesses (asthma, certain forms of epilepsy, nerve pain, painful menstrual cramps, migraines and tics).

http://medicalmarijuana.com/experts/expert/title.cfm?artID=65

[Stirky]

It can also cause depression and paranoia!

[Monk (in hiding)]

It  can also cause depression and paranoia!

lol.....

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