Scientists Discover New Bio Markers of Depression

Scientists discover tiny brain molecules that serve as bio markers for depression.

Depression is the most common type of mental disorder categorized by low mood, emotional distress and loss of interest in activities that were once perceived as pleasurable. This is known to have major impact on a person's health and overall well being. Researchers from the McGill University and the Douglas Institute identified that the levels of a molecule called microRNA or miR-1202 present in the brains of human and primates may help detect and treat chronic depression.

For the study, experts studied brain tissues of depressed participants and mentally healthy individuals from the Douglas Bell-Canada Brain Bank. They found the microRNA controls a neurotransmitter called glutamate receptor in a brain region related to neural communications, memory, learning and regulation. People suffering from depression had lower levels of the molecules than subjects without the condition. The patients of depression were prescribed with citalopram, a popular anti-depressant medication, and it was noted these participants recovered from depression as the drug increased the number of microRNA molecules.             

"Clearly, microRNA miR-1202 increased as the treatment worked and individuals no longer felt depressed,"said Gustavo Turecki, study author, psychiatrist at the Douglas and professor in the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry at McGill in a news release.

Even though antidepressants are proven effective in treating depression and preventing the condition to progress into a severe state, its potency varies on different patients. However, the study holds that microRNA levels in depressed patients changed drastically after the intake of anti-depressants.

According to the data by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 10 American adults is affected with depression. Patients of serious health conditions like arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, obesity and asthma are at very high risk of facing negative consequences of depression.

The authors believe the current research offers 'a potential target for the development of new and more effective antidepressant treatments'.

More information is available online in the journal Nature Medicine.