6 different types of depression have been identified,
Azernews reports.
Scientists conducted a study on this issue. The results give
hope for the development of more effective treatments.
The result of the study shows that more effective treatment methods
can be applied to every person. Depression, which affects about 280
million people worldwide, is usually treated with psychotherapy,
medication or electrical stimulation of the brain. Noting that many
patients did not notice an improvement in their symptoms after
treatment, the researchers conducted a study involving almost 1,000
people to develop personalized treatments.
Explaining the results in an article published in the scientific
journal Nature Medicine, scientists examined the brains of 137
healthy people using MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), as well as
801 people who had previously been diagnosed with depression or
anxiety disorder. As part of the study, while the participants were
sleeping, areas of the brain that are known to be associated with
depression were monitored and various tests were performed.
Scientists have identified 6 different types of depression or
anxiety depending on the activity of certain brain pathways. 250
people were then randomly assigned to be treated with one of three
antidepressants or conversational therapy. The therapy worked
better in people with more activity in the parts of the brain
associated with depression and problem solving.
This may mean that the biology of the brain underlying
depression is not fully understood, says lead author of the study,
Professor Lyn Williams: “The results may lead to more effective
treatment for people suffering from various types of depression or
anxiety.”
Professor Jun Ma, co-author of the study, explains that knowing
the functions of the brain will allow us to develop clearer
treatments and prescriptions for individuals.
Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist who was not involved in the
study, said that although the study was well conducted, it should
be considered preliminary: “It is problematic that only one method
of psychotherapy and only three antidepressants were used in the
study. “Scientists should treat participants not randomly, but
according to their type of depression and monitor the results for a
long time.”