Blood Test for Teen Depression Under Study
Scientists have developed a blood test that may help diagnose major depression in teens and young adults.
The test is in very early stages. However, scientists hope it will someday make diagnosing depression more objective for teens.
“The bottom line is that a test is possible from blood that can differentiate teens with major depression from those who do not have it,” says scientist Eva Redei, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
The findings are published in Translational Psychiatry.
It’s crucial to point out that the study is very preliminary and not ready for clinical use, says Alexander B. Niculescu III, MD, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry and medical neuroscience at Indiana University School of Medicine. He is also researching blood tests for depression and other mood disorders.
Teens and Depression
Major depression affects about 1% of children under age 12, Redei says.
By late teens and young adulthood, that figure rises to about 25%. If it is untreated in teens, their risk of substance abuse, suicide, physical illness, and other problems goes up, Redei says.
Doctors diagnose depression by asking about symptoms. These can include feeling sad or blue for an extended period of time, withdrawing from activities or friends, and suddenly doing poorly at school. When teens talk to a doctor, they may not communicate well, Redei says. “This is the generation, the age group that needs the most help,” Redei tells WebMD.
Blood Test for Depression
Redei’s team focused on 26 blood biomarkers, or indicators, for depression and anxiety. These indicators reflect the activity of genes related to depression.
Depression Myths and Facts Demystified
Depression is deep sadness. Depression goes beyond the blues or profound sadness. A depressed mood is just one symptom of depression. While depression varies from person to person, many feel irritable, guilty, worthless and hopeless. Many lose interest in activities they used to enjoy. They become indifferent. They can isolate themselves from others. They also experience difficulty concentrating or remembering things.
In addition, physiological symptoms are pervasive. Individuals with depression experience fatigue and physical pain, such as headaches, back pain, general aches and digestive problems. There’s also the trouble with sleeping and eating too much or too little. Some may turn to drugs and alcohol to soothe the pain, which leads to other problems. Suicidal thoughts can lead to suicidal attempts. In fact, according to a White House Conference on Mental Health in 1999, depression is the cause of more than two thirds of suicides reported each year in the U.S.
Depression is a natural part of aging. According to Rosalind S. Dorlen, Psy.D, a New Jersey clinical psychologist, there’s a multitude of studies that show depression isn’t a normal part of the aging process. Other factors can play a role. “Many older people can become quite depressed as a result of a side effect of a medication for a medical condition not associated with depression,” she said. Other factors include the “loss of a loved one, loss of meaningful work or health-related issues.”
Difficult circumstances or stressful events cause depression. Depression is caused by a complex interplay of factors. The situation itself doesn’t necessarily play a pervasive role. The “inability to cope or solve problems effectively may be a factor associated with depression,” Dorlen said. She added, “It is hard to find suicidal patients with good emotional problem-solving skills.”
Even more important, genetics and biology increase someone’s susceptibility to the disorder. Depression runs in families and some research has pointed to certain chromosomes that may boost risk. Also, chemicals in the brain that control appetite, sleep, mood and cognition may function abnormally in depression. However, thinking of depression as a chemical imbalance is overly simplistic and misses the intricate and elaborate role of the brain.
Environmental factors like stress, the loss of a loved one or abuse can contribute. Stress may even change the brain in people predisposed to depression, writes Peter D. Kramer, M.D., author of Against Depression in a 2003 New York Times piece.
They tested these indicators in 14 teens with major depression who had not been treated and 14 teens who were not depressed.