New Blood Test Could Help Detect Teen Depression Early, McGill Researchers Say

Using a cutting-edge lab technique they developed, researchers at McGill University have discovered nine specific molecules in the blood that were elevated in adolescents diagnosed with depression. These molecules also offered insight into how symptoms might evolve over time.

The clinical study's results may help enable earlier detection of depression potentially before symptoms intensify and become more difficult to treat.

“Worryingly, we’re seeing a growing number of teens being diagnosed with depression, and when it begins early, its impacts can be both severe and long-lasting,” said senior author Cecilia Flores, James McGill Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, researcher at the Douglas Research Centre, and principal investigator at the Ludmer Centre. “Teens with depression are at greater risk for issues like substance abuse, social withdrawal, and symptoms that are often harder to manage with treatment.”

Interestingly, the nine molecules identified known as microRNAs have not been linked to depression in adults, pointing to biological mechanisms that may be unique to adolescents.

A Simple, Scalable Testing Method

The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles and Stanford University and involved 62 teenagers 34 with depression and 28 without. Blood samples were collected through finger pricks, dried, and then frozen to maintain molecular stability. This minimally invasive sampling method is easy to store and transport, making it suitable for large-scale use.

The McGill team designed the lab technique used to extract and analyze the microRNAs from the dried blood samples.

“Our results show that dried blood spots can be a viable tool in psychiatric research, giving us a way to monitor early biological signs of mental health conditions with a low-burden approach,” said first author Alice Morgunova, a postdoctoral fellow at McGill.

Currently, depression diagnosis mainly depends on self-reported symptoms, which can delay care if teens are unaware of their mental state or reluctant to speak up. A blood-based screening tool could offer a more objective and earlier way to identify those at risk.

Next, the researchers plan to replicate their findings in larger adolescent populations and investigate how the identified microRNAs interact with genetic and environmental risk factors.

Source: https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/biological-markers-teen-depression-365477