A Blood Test For Depression

A nifty new diagnostic tool:

[Ridge Diagnostics‘s] test takes measurements of 9 different biomarkers. The measurements are then calculated through a set of proprietary algorithms to produce what the company calls an “MDD Score” – a number from 1 to 9 that rates how likely it is that a person is clinically depressed, and the level of that depression. The cost of the test right now is about $745. …

The next step in the company’s research is developing a way to use their blood tests during ongoing courses of depression treatment. If successful, the company will be able to use that test to guide psychiatrists in modifying treatment using a blood test at a guide.