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Biomarker For Rapid Relief Of Major Depression - 9/12/2009 9:54:13 AM
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fiery
Posts: 5730
Joined: 11/4/2007
Location: in front of my computer
Status: offline
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quote:
It is a long, slow slog to treat major depression. Many antidepressant medications are available, but no single biomarker or diagnostic test exists to predict which one is right for an individual. As a result, for more than half of all patients, the first drug prescribed doesn't work, and it can take months to figure out what does.
Now, based on the final results of a nationwide study led by UCLA, clinicians may be able to accurately predict within a week whether a particular drug will be effective by using a non-invasive test that takes less than 15 minutes to administer. The test will allow physicians to quickly switch patients to a more effective treatment, if necessary.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910142404.htm
I think this is a fantastic development. I know when I went through depression my doctor told me it would be eight weeks before I'd feel the effects of the medication. Well at the end of eight weeks I was no better because it wasn't the right one for me. While I don't think mine was classed as an MDD, it's a welcome discovery.
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