MRI could be key to diagnosing, treating depression

USA – A new MRI study has identified unique brain connectivity patterns in people with depression or anxiety, potentially paving the way for more effective treatments for mental health disorders.

Researchers at Stanford University used functional MRI and machine learning cluster analyses to identify six distinct biological subtypes of depression, each displaying unique activity in specific regions of the brain both at rest and during cognitive and emotional tasks.

The study, which included over 800 individuals diagnosed with depression or anxiety, aimed to determine how participants’ depression and anxiety might respond to specific treatments.

Senior study author Leanne Williams, PhD, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, hopes the findings will eventually help patients get the relief they need sooner.

“The goal of our work is figuring out how we can get it right the first time,” Williams said. “It’s very frustrating to be in the field of depression and not have a better alternative to this one-size-fits-all approach.”

The researchers focused on connections between certain regions of the brain known to be associated with depression.

Through this, several patterns emerged. For example, some participants showed patterns of overactivity in certain areas of the brain that were effectively stabilized using the antidepressant medication Effexor.

 Another group showed increased activity in certain regions related to cognitive and executive function while at rest, which benefited the most from behavioral talk therapy.

Another group showed decreased activity in areas associated with focus and attention during resting state, whom researchers noted were less likely to show improvements with talk therapy alone.

“To our knowledge, this is the first time we’ve been able to demonstrate that depression can be explained by different disruptions to the functioning of the brain,” Williams said

Williams further said that it was, in essence, a demonstration of a personalized medicine approach for mental health based on objective measures of brain function.

The study’s findings have significant implications for the diagnosis and treatment of depression.

By identifying specific brain connectivity patterns, researchers can develop targeted treatments that address the unique needs of each individual.

This approach could potentially reduce the lengthy process of trial and error, allowing patients to receive more effective treatments sooner.

For all the latest healthcare industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, and YouTube Channel, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook