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FarCenter

(19,429 posts)
Sat Mar 1, 2014, 05:48 PM Mar 2014

New blood test for schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a neuro-psychiatric disorder that affects about one percent of the global population.

To date, the diagnosis of mental illnesses is highly subjective and mostly based on clinical interviews. This could now be backed by a new, low-cost blood test developed as part of a European research project.

Researchers at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge have been working on a blood test for schizophrenia for many years.

Initial tests were too expensive, but they have now developed a new version which, they claim, is cheaper and provides more detailed information. The test analyses proteins in the patient’s blood to distinguish between different kinds of mental illnesses.

According to the researchers, with the new test schizophrenia can be diagnosed with a certainty of 83 percent and depression with a certainty of about 90 percent.

http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/19/new-blood-test-for-schizophrenia/
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raven mad

(4,940 posts)
1. Damn if I'm not sharing this on FB for a friend -
Sat Mar 1, 2014, 06:08 PM
Mar 2014

who is going through literal hell with her sister.

Thank you.

 

Spitfire of ATJ

(32,723 posts)
3. Need I say it?
Sat Mar 1, 2014, 07:18 PM
Mar 2014

Fail this test and no gun for you.

And forget a career in politics.

Used car sales - No prob.

Tobin S.

(10,418 posts)
8. Schizophrenia and other mental illnesses are treatable with varying degrees of success.
Sat Mar 1, 2014, 08:43 PM
Mar 2014

I have bipolar disorder with some psychotic symptoms, but if you met me in person you'd never know it. The medications I take have transported me to extreme normalcy. I'd make a better politician than 100% of Republicans and about 50% of Democrats.

Hekate

(90,202 posts)
4. This could be wonderful in the right hands. Interesting they can tag depression as well....
Sat Mar 1, 2014, 07:54 PM
Mar 2014

Depression and other anxiety disorders run through my mother's side of the family, with adult onset -- in middle age is when things go haywire.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
6. The article is very short on details, but it is my sincere hope and belief that one day
Sat Mar 1, 2014, 08:02 PM
Mar 2014

we will be able to accurately diagnosis psychiatric patients using lab tests or procedures.

The best thing about this would hopefully be the ability to more accurately choose treatment.

Even among those who clearly have schizophrenia, there are many sub-types and even more variability in terms of response to treatment.

I would also help destigmatize psychiatric disorders, which would be a truly wonderful thing.

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