A Blood Test to Detect Depression was Invented

 

A Blood Test to Detect Depression was Invented

Indianapolis: A team of American scientists, after four years of research, have discovered substances in the blood that are a clear sign of serious mental illnesses such as depression and bipolar disorder. They have also developed blood tests based on these substances, ie biomarkers, which are currently in the experimental stages.

According to the details, a team of scientists led by Dr. Alexander B. Nichols, a psychiatrist, and neurologist at Indiana University, analyzed more than 1,600 studies in a particular mental or psychiatric illness in a study that began four years ago. The presence of biomarkers in the blood was indicated.

The discovery revealed 26 biomarkers related to depression, bipolar disorder and another form of dementia, which are found in the blood.

After further research, only 12 of these biomarkers remained that could be confidently used to diagnose depression, bipolar disorder and mania.

In the next step, in addition to discovering the genes associated with these biomarkers, a blood test was also developed that can be used to specifically identify depression and bipolar disorder.

Dr. Alexander says the study not only identified biomarkers, but also possibly drugs that are not currently used to treat depression or other psychiatric disorders, but perhaps their Use can definitely help patients.

How long will this test be available to the public? In this regard, Dr. Alexander says that it requires a large number of tests so that psychiatrists can accept this blood test as an alternative to the current diagnostic methods and it can become popular.