What if a simple blood test could quantify your anxiety and match you to the right treatment?
A research team at the University of Indiana created a blood test to detect signs of anxiety! You heard that right, we can now use physical tests to diagnose mental disorders. The test offers the potential to oversee the complete progression of an anxiety disorder, going beyond a mere diagnosis. Roughly thirty percent of American adults undergo an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives; however, identifying the suitable treatment for each unique circumstance can be a protracted undertaking. Innovated by University of Indiana researchers, this groundbreaking blood test might aid physicians in both diagnosing and managing anxiety in patients.
Biomarkers, widely employed for precise cancer diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment, identify fragments of RNA and DNA in bodily fluids. The activation or deactivation of specific genes can inform doctors about a person's response to treatment. Nevertheless, adopting the same biopsy strategy for mental health disorders has posed challenges. The research team sought to uncover a means to identify a genetic pattern that correlates with brain-related occurrences, distinct from the approach taken in cancer where the focus is on bodily tissues. This was a plausible direction due to the strong connection between the brain and the immune system. Notably, the same team's earlier work has already led to the creation of blood tests for conditions such as pain, depression/bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Changing the Way Anxiety is Diagnosed
At present, medical practitioners assess patients using the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). They may inquire about the frequency of symptoms related to anxiety, such as difficulties with concentration, feelings of restlessness, and muscle tension. However, studies have revealed that nearly 70% of the members of the DSM Task Force, responsible for overseeing the development of the prior edition (DSM-5), had financial associations with pharmaceutical companies. Similarly, 51% of the individuals in the work group responsible for updating the section on anxiety disorders also had such financial ties. The newly devised blood test, partially intended to introduce an additional parameter for measuring anxiety, holds potential in the monitoring of patients at elevated risk. Unlike DNA tests, which are conducted once for a definitive result, this test focuses on RNA, which varies in response to disease severity, treatment efficacy, and different stages of the ailment.
Current approaches to treating anxiety often rely on trial and error, occasionally yielding suboptimal results or even leading to dependency. The integration of blood tests could enhance the capacity of mental healthcare providers to tailor treatments more effectively, guided by specific anxiety-related biomarkers detected in the test. Nevertheless, certain mental health experts argue that it's premature to employ these blood tests as guiding tools for anxiety screening and treatment strategies. The potential expense of such tests, particularly if covered by insurance, remains uncertain for now. The present option of privately purchasing the test online could be financially restrictive for many individuals compared to alternative diagnostic methods. However, there's potential for significant future changes in this landscape, as advancements in testing procedures and cost reduction measures are likely to result in increased adoption over time.
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