Depression has become a topic that has shifted to the forefront of discussion in recent years, partially due to it’s increasing prominence in our contemporary society, as well as the passing of celebrity figures afflicted with the illness. A study published in 2005 indicates that Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), affects 6.7% of the North American population annually, giving an indication of the somber reality of the situation. However, due to the lack of definitive quantitative assessments to diagnose the illness, a discussion still exists as to whether individuals are truly depressed. But what if it were possible to perform a test to not only help diagnose individuals and implement rehabilitation efforts earlier on, but also to offer preventative assistance to those predisposed to the illness?
A new study published in Nature determined an explicit difference in specific blood biomarkers, predominantly RNA, between patients diagnosed with MDD and control patients. Furthermore, after 18 weeks of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), patients who had responded to the treatment and were no longer impressed showed a shift in several of their RNA transcriptional biomarkers to reflect those of the controls. Lastly, individuals who responded to the CBT showed a unique biomarker profile relative to other individuals suffering from MDD, even before the treatment began. This gives hope towards the notion of being able to not only identify individuals with MDD, but identifying which therapeutic interventions are more likely to aid them.
Summary of the article here: http://www.iflscience.com/brain/blood-test-diagnoses-depression
Original article here: http://www.nature.com/tp/journal/v4/n9/full/tp201466a.html
A new study published in Nature determined an explicit difference in specific blood biomarkers, predominantly RNA, between patients diagnosed with MDD and control patients. Furthermore, after 18 weeks of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), patients who had responded to the treatment and were no longer impressed showed a shift in several of their RNA transcriptional biomarkers to reflect those of the controls. Lastly, individuals who responded to the CBT showed a unique biomarker profile relative to other individuals suffering from MDD, even before the treatment began. This gives hope towards the notion of being able to not only identify individuals with MDD, but identifying which therapeutic interventions are more likely to aid them.
Summary of the article here: http://www.iflscience.com/brain/blood-test-diagnoses-depression
Original article here: http://www.nature.com/tp/journal/v4/n9/full/tp201466a.html
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