Contents:
- Medical Video: How do doctors test you for depression?
- Blood test, a new breakthrough for detecting depression
- How does this blood test work?
- Can this blood test accurately detect depression?
Medical Video: How do doctors test you for depression?
Scientists have recently revealed that depression can be detected through a blood test. Tice to diagnose depression later might be as easy as having a blood test.
Blood test, a new breakthrough for detecting depression
A new study reveals the first scientific way to diagnose depression in adults, namely through a blood test. According to a report from researchers from Northwestern University, this test measures nine levels of a genetic indicator known as RNA in the blood.
This blood test can also determine who patients can be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy, which is one of the most common and effective treatment therapies for depression, and can show whether the therapy will succeed or not.
Depression affects many people, but most are late diagnosed or don't even know it at all.
"The longer the diagnosis is delayed, the more difficult it is for patients to provide reviews of their family and environment. In addition, if the patient cannot or has no desire to communicate with the doctor, the diagnosis will be difficult, "said lead researcher Eva Redei, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral and physiology science at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.
Research published online at Translational Psychiatrythis used a sample of 32 adults diagnosed with depression, and 32 adults who did not experience depression. All participants in this study were between 21 and 79 years old.
How does this blood test work?
This test is done by measuring the concentration of blood from the RNA builder. These RNA molecular cells are responsible for interpreting the genetic code and then carrying out the instructions from DNA. After blood is taken, RNA is isolated. Then the researchers measured and compared the expected level of RNA in the blood of someone who was not depressed.
The Redei team conducted blood tests to 64 participants. Then, after 18 weeks of face to face or telephone therapy to listen to reviews from participants who were depressed, a retest was conducted to 22 other participants.
Among depressant participants who recovered with therapy, researchers identified differences in their RNA formation before and after therapy. Meanwhile, RNA-forming concentrations from depressed patients were still different from the original results of patients who did not experience depression. Three of the RNA formers in adults who recover their memories are slightly different from those who have never experienced depression before. This shows that if this RNA builder allows susceptibility to depression.
In addition, if the level of five specific RNA formers line up together, this indicates that patients may respond well to cognitive behavioral therapy, Redei said. "This is the first time that we can predict the response to psychotherapy," he added.
Can this blood test accurately detect depression?
The accuracy of blood tests in diagnosing depression is similar to the standard psychiatric diagnostic interview, which is about 72 percent to 80 percent effective.
This new blood test is not yet available to the public because the level of accuracy and effectiveness must first be confirmed before it can get approval. In addition, Redei also revealed that this follow-up study depends on funding which will take several years.
