The World Health Organization (WHO) describes depressive disorder, also known as depression, as a common mental disorder characterized by a depressed mood or a loss of pleasure or interest in activities for extended periods, affecting all aspects of life. It is different from regular mood changes that occur day to day. Depression impacts about 3.8% of the world’s population and is more commonly found in women. It can affect anyone, from children to adults, with some individuals requiring long-term treatment.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, the symptoms of depression can vary among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. To diagnose depression, symptoms must be observed occurring most of the day, nearly every day, for more than two weeks, along with changes in daily functioning. Some of these symptoms include persistent sadness, irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, and thoughts of death or suicide, among others.
For individuals dealing with depression, medication and psychotherapy can be effective in managing symptoms and improving daily functioning. However, finding the right treatment often requires time and patience, as it can involve multiple rounds of trial and error. Some medications may be less effective or may cause more adverse effects than others, making the process of finding the best fit potentially challenging and uncomfortable. Currently, there are no approved tests for identifying specific types of depression in patients. As a result, treatment plans rely heavily on the individual’s self-reported symptoms, triggering factors, and other relevant information.
In June 2024, a group of scientists from Stanford Medicine published a study in Nature Medicine identifying six depression subtypes using functional MRI and machine learning. They analyzed brain activity patterns in different regions during rest and task performance. A randomly assigned group of 250 participants received one of three commonly used antidepressants as well as behavioral talk therapy. Scientists discovered that different depression subtypes respond differently to these treatments. For example, one subtype linked to overactivity in the brain’s cognitive regions responded best to venlafaxine, while other subtypes, characterized by higher resting activity in regions controlling depression and problem-solving, showed better outcomes with behavioral talk therapy.
By identifying depression subtypes, a more personalized approach to treatment becomes possible for each individual. Senior author Leanne Williams, Ph.D., stated in a Stanford Medicine article, “To our knowledge, this is the first time we’ve been able to demonstrate that depression can be explained by different disruptions to brain function… In essence, it’s a demonstration of a personalized medicine approach for mental health based on objective measures of brain function.” As research on mental health—once a taboo topic and still stigmatized in many communities—continues to grow, we move closer to understanding how to provide the right tools for those affected by these conditions, ultimately improving their quality of life.
Image by Gerd Altmann and Олег Безруков from Pixabay (in order of appearance)
Roselle Torres
If you found the article interesting, I also recommend this:
