WASHINGTON, Mar 11, 2008 (Xinhua via COMTEX) --

Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) have discovered that a change in the location of a protein in the brain could serve as a biomarker for depression, allowing a simple, rapid, laboratory test to identify patients with depression, according to the March 12 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience

It also can be used to determine whether a particular antidepressant therapy will provide a successful response.

"This test could serve to predict the efficacy of antidepressant therapy quickly, within four to five days, sparing patients the agony of waiting a month or more to find out if they are on the correct therapeutic regimen," said Mark Rasenick, UIC professor of physiology.

Despite decades of research, the biological basis of depression is unknown, and the molecular and cellular targets of antidepressant treatment remain elusive, although it is likely that these drugs have one or more primary targets.

Rasenick said the discovery could help millions who suffer from undiagnosed depression or receive unsuccessful treatment. "In simple language -- we may be able to tell you if you are depressed and more importantly, whether you are responding to the chosen antidepressant therapy."

The new study may also explain why antidepressants take so long to work and why chemically dissimilar compounds have similar effects.

Rasenick and his colleagues have begun further studies to confirm and expand these findings.

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Last updated: 04/10/2008 - 09:46 AM