New Study: Blood Molecules May Transform Teen Depression Diagnosis

Montréal [Canada], le 24 mai (ANI): Dans une avancée majeure,
study
, researchers at McGill University have pinpointed nine biological indicators in the
blood
that could help diagnose
depression
in teenagers.

The recent discoveries are anticipated to transform how
depression
is identified in teenagers, providing an opportunity for early intervention before symptoms worsen and become more difficult to manage.

The
study
Led by Dr. Cecilia Flores, who holds the position of James McGill Professor at McGill’s Department of Psychiatry, this research illuminates a novel approach for diagnosing the condition.

The scientists found that these nine molecules, referred to as microRNAs, showed an increase in levels within the organism.
blood
of teens diagnosed with
depression
.

In addition, these microRNAs demonstrated their ability to forecast the advancement of the condition, offering significant understanding into the potential evolution of symptoms over time.

“Alarming numbers of teenagers are increasingly receiving diagnoses of
depression
, and when it begins prematurely, the impacts can be prolonged and intense,” stated Dr. Flores, who concurrently works as a researcher at both the Douglas Research Centre and the Ludmer Centre.

“Teens with
depression
Dr. Flores further noted, “They are more prone to encounter extra difficulties like substance abuse, social solitude, and issues that typically do not respond well to treatments.”

Interestingly, these microRNAs have not been associated with
depression
In adults, this suggests that the markers might indicate biological processes specific to teenagers.

This could open the door for personalised treatment approaches for adolescent
depression
, which frequently presents itself differently compared to how it appears in adults.

The
study
The research was carried out in cooperation with scholars from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Stanford University.

It included 62 teenagers, out of which 34 had been diagnosed with
depression
And 28 participants who were in good health. Through an analysis of smaller portions
blood
Using samples gathered through a straightforward finger prick and kept in a dried state, the researchers managed to maintain the integrity of the biological markers for an extended period.

“The technique we created is minimally invasive, scalable, and straightforward to deploy in practical scenarios,” stated Dr. Alice Morgunova, a postdoctoral researcher at McGill University and the lead author of the study.
study
.

Our discoveries open up new possibilities for utilizing dried materials.
blood
“Using spots serves as a practical method in psychiatric research. This technique enables us to monitor early biological alterations associated with mental health issues without causing significant distress to patients,” Dr. Alice further explained.

Currently, diagnosing
depression
In teenagers, this primarily relies on self-reported symptoms, potentially causing delays in accurate diagnosis.
diagnosis
.

A lot of teenagers find it difficult to identify the indicators.
depression
or are reluctant to ask for assistance.

A
blood
A screening tool based on these criteria might offer a more impartial method for pinpointing individuals who are vulnerable, which could result in timely and more efficient interventions.

The research team intends to extend their study by confirming these results within bigger cohorts of teenagers and exploring the ways these microRNAs interconnect with various genetic and environmental risk elements associated with the condition.
depression
.

The
study
Was supported financially by multiple esteemed bodies such as the Douglas Foundation, Bombardier Fund, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), along with various others. (ANI)