Blood Test is new hope and cure for Depression
Depression is a common and serious medical illness that affects how you think you do work and your perception of life. The first-ever cure for Depression is a blood test that can confirm the Depression and match the right medication. This cure is part of a breakthrough study by the Indiana University School of Medicine. It was published on April 8, 2021, Led by Dr. Alexander B. Niculescu, professor of psychiatry at the IU School of Medicine. The research has built on previous research conducted by Niculescu and his colleagues into blood biomarkers. that track suicidality as well as pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease.
What does the study say?
This study talks about the blood test composed of RNA biomarkers. RNA is Ribonucleic acid; it is the essential component of our cells. Biomarkers are the molecules found in the body that are signs of a condition or a disease, like markers.
This test has RNA Biomarkers and tells about three things-
- How severe is the Depression?
- Will a person experience severe Depression in future?
- If you are at risk of Bipolar disorder.
How can we know about depression severity through a blood test?
Every system in the body, like the brain, the nervous system, and our immune system, all have a standard developmental route, so when a person is unhappy and depressed, a particular psychological and neurological reaction affects all the systems; for example, that time our body releases certain hormones that affect our immune system and blood supply chain.
This study says that specific biomarkers present in the blood can be used to determine the person’s condition. In addition, these biomarkers serve as indicators of your biological state, markers for happiness and sadness.
For this study, researchers relied on the most crucial biomarkers RNA (Ribonucleic acid), DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) and blood protein. There are nine other biomarkers, but these are the main biomarkers in the human body.
Scientists studied these biomarkers to track the mood of patients over a while.
Scientists spotted these biomarkers depending on how a person is feeling, and then they used antidepressants to see how the biomarkers responded and how they changed after the antidepressants. So to put it simply, the scientists connect physiology with biology combine physiological clauses, clauses instead with the biological basis of Depression. They say this can cut down on years of trial and error that characterize the treatment of a mental health condition so far. This experiment can change and replace hospitalizations and psychiatric procedures with precise medicines.
This study says that through an objective blood test, patients can be provided with immediate relief just as they do for simple cough or fever.
This study took place over four years with over 300 participants, they used a four-step approach of discovery, prioritization, validation and testing.
The researcher followed and observed the participants in their high or low mood states. Each time researchers recorded the change in biomarkers, in participants’ blood between their high and low mood.
Niculescu’s team used a large database developed from all previous study data in the field, to cross-validate and prioritize their findings. Researchers authenticate the top 26 candidate biomarkers in independent groups of people with severe depression or mania problems.
Lastly, the biomarkers were tested in additional independent groups to find how strong they were at predicting who is ill and who will get this disease in future. From this approach, it will be easier to get the right medication for particular patients.
Niculescu said, “Through this work, we wanted to develop blood tests for depression and for bipolar disorder, to distinguish between the two and to match people to the right treatments.”
This scientific study is hope for millions of people out there who are suffering from Depression.
Positive Breeze by Rashi Mehta 