Scientists developed a blood test that determines one's risk of developing anxiety. It also looks at the severity of current anxiety and the best treatment course.
Blood Test for Anxiety
Science Alert reports that the blood test examines biomarkers linked to the mental condition. It may also predict if the person may get more anxious in the future and if other factors, such as hormonal changes, may impact anxiety.
The results of their study were published in the Molecular Psychiatry journal. Startup MindX Science is also developing these blood tests.
Alexander Nicluescu, MD, Ph.D., a professor of psychiatry, says that several individuals battle anxiety, which may impact their daily lives and become quite disabling. Current approaches focus on talking with these individuals to assess their feelings and see if they need medication for their conditions. However, some medicines may be counterproductive, as they can be addictive and lead to even more problems. The researchers wanted to see if they could pinpoint blood biomarkers that may help them match individuals with existing treatment options that could be non-addictive and more effective.
As per Science Daily, Niculescu's previous work has enabled the development of depression, PTSD, and pain blood tests. This recent work now incorporates similar methods for targeting anxiety.
There were three independent cohorts used in the study. These were, namely, testing, validation, and discovery. Participants would do the blood test every quarter or six months or if a new psychiatric hospitalization occurs.
By looking at the biomarkers of RNA in the bloodstream, the researchers could identify a person's current anxiety state. With this, they were able to match it with nutraceuticals and medications.
Niculescu says that anxiety can be treated and managed by lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapy, aside from medications. However, by having a more objective measurement, they can know more about the current state and future risk of anxiety and which treatment options match the person's profile best.
Biomarkers may change as time passes. Niculescu mentions that the blood test may also examine one's risk of developing higher anxiety levels as time passes. It also looks at how other factors could affect anxiety.
Read also: Loneliness and Social Anxiety Have the Same Symptoms: How Do They Differ in Neural Basis?
Mental Health Breakthrough
Niculescu says that several people deal with anxiety without a proper diagnosis. They then experience panic attacks but think these are heart attacks and get rushed to the ER because of their physical symptoms. He notes that if they can determine this earlier, these complications may be avoided, and the patients could be treated with options that align with their profile.
This blood test for anxiety may also be used alongside other blood tests that Niculescu previously looked into. It may offer a more comprehensive understanding of mental health and the risk of future concerns about mental health. The blood test can also be used to develop novel anxiety treatments more targeted to specific biomarkers.
Niculescu mentions that this could be part of the regular wellness visits of patients to evaluate their mental health and prevent the development of potential distress. Prevention is still better. Hence, their goal is to offer a comprehensive profile of patients through a single blood tube.
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