There is now a blood test for anxiety disorders

Based on preliminary research, a new blood test for anxiety may help doctors diagnose patients and find effective treatments. I think it is necessary to confirm.

Anxiety 101: Everyone experiences worries and fears from time to time due to upcoming events such as important tests, anxiety disorder You experience those feelings persistently and often no particular threat looms.

These emotions can become more intense and all-consuming over time, interfering with the person’s daily life and increasing risk. physical health problemssuch as heart disease and stroke.

Challenge: Medications can help reduce anxiety, but it’s hard to know exactly what’s going on chemically to trigger these feelings, so finding the right medication can take a lot of trial and error. In the process, patients may try medications that make them feel sick.

“Having objective things like this is very powerful in helping people.”

Alexander Niculescu

However, doctors need to know that a person has an anxiety disorder before they can begin recommending treatment. avoid talking about your symptoms with a doctor.

“There are people who are anxious, have undiagnosed panic attacks, and believe they are having a heart attack. [end] He’s been in the ER with all sorts of physical symptoms.” Said Alexander Niculescu, Professor of Psychiatry at Indiana University (IU).

idea: Niculescu is now leading the development of an anxiety blood test to help doctors identify patients with anxiety disorders and find effective treatments more quickly.of research Published in molecular psychiatry.

“[H]Being able to know someone’s current condition, future risks, and treatment options that match their profile is very powerful in helping people.

Usage: Our genes tell our cells how to make a particular protein, but not all cells need to make all proteins all the time, so sometimes a gene is on or “expressed” and sometimes it isn’t. in some cases.

For their paper, the IU team looked at the blood of people with anxiety disorders when they were in high and low anxiety states. We were able to identify molecules that showed more or less expression.

“This could be a panel test as part of a patient’s routine check-up.”

Alexander Niculescu

Using other studies on anxiety, they prioritized a list of intriguing genes. This is based on what is likely the best biological indicator.biomarker, ”of anxiety. We then tested the biomarkers in psychotic patients and also completed an investigation of anxiety states.

Researchers found that blood tests were better than chance in predicting a patient’s current anxiety level and identifying which patients’ anxiety would worsen (mainly for future hospitalization for anxiety). based on).

Researchers have also confirmed that available anxiolytic This information helps doctors decide which drugs they recommend patients try first.

First step: Anxiety blood tests cannot diagnose the disorder, and it is not clear whether prescribing medication based on it is actually more effective than current approaches. Is required.

“Every time I see an interesting but decidedly preliminary finding like this, I hope it will be confirmed not only by the original investigators, but also by other groups,” said Paul Psychiatry, a professor of psychiatry. S. Appelbaum says: , Medicine and Law, at Columbia University, told Verywell Health.

But looking at these biomarkers help Doctors identify and treat people with anxiety, and Niculescu has already founded a startup. MindX Sciencea patient’s blood sample can be tested for anxiety biomarkers at the physician’s request.

The IU team’s blood test for anxiety is still considered experimental, so it’s likely not covered by insurance, but future research could improve how doctors diagnose and treat anxiety disorders. , the situation may change.

“This could be a panel test as part of a patient’s regular wellness visits to assess long-term mental health and prevent future distress,” Niculescu said. is superior in the long run, so our goal is to give patients and their doctors a comprehensive report from just one tube of blood.”