MOSCOW, December 16 Scientists at the University of California at San Diego have discovered compounds in the blood of people suffering from depression that signal a higher risk of suicidal thoughts , UC San Diego Today reported.
“”If we have 100 people who either suffer from depression and suicidal ideation or not, we could accurately identify the 85-90 people at greatest risk based on five metabolites in men and another five – in women,” the publication quotes Robert Navier, MD, professor of medicine, pediatrics and pathology at the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego.
Scientists tested blood samples from 99 participants with treatment-resistant depression and suicidal ideation and 99 healthy participants. Researchers have found that among the biochemicals circulating in the blood, five can be used as a “biomarker” to identify patients with depression and suicidal thoughts that are not responding to treatment. These “biomarkers” differ between men and women.
Navier emphasized that many chronic diseases are accompanied by depression. If we can find a way to treat depression at the metabolic level, this will improve the results of treatment for many other diseases, he believes.
The study was co-authored by scientists from Pennsylvania and Canada.
Recent Comments