Scientists Develop New Blood Test That Could Diagnose Your Level of Depression

[Judi Lynn]

PETER DOCKRILL17 APRIL 2021

A newly developed system that monitors for blood biomarkers linked to mood disorders could lead to new ways to diagnose and treat depression and bipolar disorder, all beginning with a simple blood test.

While depression has been recognized for centuries and affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, the traditional diagnosis still depends on clinical assessments by doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists.

Blood tests might inform such health assessments, to check whether symptoms of depression might be related to other factors, but they're not used in clinical practice to objectively and independently diagnose the condition itself. The new research suggests this could be a practical option in the future.

In the new study, researchers have identified 26 biomarkers – measurable and naturally occurring indicators – in patients' blood variably linked to the incidence of mood disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, and mania.

More:
https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-develop-new-blood-test-that-can-diagnose-your-level-of-depression

[Duppers]

1. Wow! Had not realized there were such biomarkers.

I've always assumed that most causes of depression are situational. But they can cause chemical changes.

Many depressive states are organically caused but not most imho.