A Simple Blood Test Detects Suicidal Tendencies in Individuals with Major Depressive Disorder
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 06 May 2022 |
|
Image: Suicidal tendencies among people with depression and unhappiness may be detected by a simple blood test (Photo courtesy of 123rf.com)
A gene expression signature found in blood and brain tissue from individuals with major depressive disorder seemed to be associated with the likelihood of development of suicidal behavior.
Suicide is a serious global public health problem that accounts for close to 800,000 deaths per year, and since major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common diagnosis among suicides, identifying those at the highest risk for suicide is a pressing challenge.
To meet this challenge, investigators at the University of California, Irvine (USA) collected blood and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) samples from MDD patients who died by suicide (MDD-S), MDDs who died by other means (MDD-NS), and non-psychiatric controls. Gene expression was analyzed using RNA and the NanoString (Seattle, WA, USA) platform.
Results revealed 14 genes in the blood samples that significantly differentiated MDD-S versus MDD-NS. The top six genes differentially expressed in blood were: PER3, MTPAP, SLC25A26, CD19, SOX9, and GAR1. Additionally, four genes showed significant changes in brain and blood between MDD-S and MDD-NS; SOX9 was decreased and PER3 was increased in MDD-S in both tissues, while CD19 and TERF1 were increased in blood but decreased in DLPFC. These changes in gene expression reflected stress response, including polyamine metabolism, circadian rhythm, immune dysregulation, and telomere maintenance.
“These blood biomarkers are an important step toward developing blood tests to identify patients with imminent risk of ending their lives,” said senior author Dr. Adolfo Sequeira, associate researcher in the department of psychiatry and human behavior at the University of California, Irvine. “To our knowledge, this is the first study to analyze blood and brain samples in a well-defined population of MDDs demonstrating significant differences in gene expression associated with completed suicide.”
The study was published in the April 14, 2022, online edition of the journal Translational Psychiatry.
Related Links:
University of California, Irvine
NanoString
Platinum Member
Automated Coagulation Analyzer
Hemolumi H6
New
Connectivity Solution
EKF Link
Gold Member
Serum Indices Control
Acusera Serum Indices Control
Latest Molecular Diagnostics News
- Comprehensive Tumor Profiling Uncovers Overlooked Hereditary Cancer Risk Genes
- Studies Support MRD Testing to Detect Head and Neck Cancer Recurrence
- Nonendoscopic Methylation Assay Enables Rapid Barrett’s Esophagus Screening
- AI-Supported Approach May Improve Cervical Cancer Screening in Low-Resource Settings
- Molecular AI Model Refines Risk Prediction in Pediatric Brain Tumors
- Multiplex PCR Panel Gains FDA Clearance for Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Detection
- Genomic Profiling Predicts Relapse Risk by Subtype in Pediatric Leukemia
- Blood Test Identifies Early Breast and Prostate Cancer Signals Years Before Diagnosis
- Study Finds Potential Marker of Targeted Drug Resistance in Breast Cancer
- Liquid Biopsy Measures Tumor Burden and Identifies Small Cell Lung Cancer Subtypes
- Rapid Lab-Free UTI Test Enters First Use in Care Home Setting
- Blood MRD Testing Aids Risk Analysis in Bladder and Other Cancers
- New NGS Panel Detects AML Fusions at MRD-Level Sensitivity
- Spinal Fluid Liquid Biopsy May Help Clarify Uncertain Brain Tumor Findings
- Digital Twins Predict Treatment Response in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- Blood-Based Small RNA Assay Predicts Survival After Lung Cancer Treatment
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Single-Vesicle Analysis Reveals Tissue-Associated Inflammatory Signatures
Chronic inflammation can persist for months or years when immune cells continue attacking tissues despite the absence of an active threat. It is associated with cancers, brain disorders, autoimmune diseases,... Read more
Plasma Proteomic Test Detects Immunotherapy Resistance Before Imaging in Lung Cancer
In advanced non-small cell lung cancer, monitoring response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy can be difficult when resistance develops before progression appears on imaging. Radiologic assessment... Read more
Hematology
view channel
New Reference Ranges Clarify Normal Neutrophil Counts in Duffy-Null Patients
Duffy-null status is a common genetic trait associated with naturally lower circulating white blood cell counts. It affects about 10% of the U.S. population and more than 66% of people with African or... Read more
Newly Certified FISH Probes Support Cytogenetic Testing in Blood Cancers
Hematological malignancies such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphoid leukemia, and multiple myeloma require assessment of key cytogenetic abnormalities.... Read more
Genetic Testing Offers Opportunities for Earlier Blood Disorder Carrier Identification
Inherited hemoglobin disorders can affect oxygen transport, yet individuals who carry only a trait may remain unaware of their status. People with sickle cell trait or beta-thalassemia trait often have... Read more
New Risk-Stratification Tool Predicts Relapse After Blinatumomab in Childhood ALL
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children and young people requires careful assessment of relapse risk, particularly as treatment approaches move beyond standard chemotherapy. Traditional relapse predictors... Read moreImmunology
view channel
Exhaled Breath Particles Reveal Virus-Specific Antibodies in the Lower Airways
Respiratory viruses such as influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) require immune protection across the airway mucosa. Antibodies in the respiratory tract lining are important... Read more
Roche Gains FDA Clearance for Flexible Respiratory Pathogen Panel
Respiratory infections often cause overlapping viral and bacterial symptoms, making diagnosis more difficult during peak respiratory seasons. This uncertainty can be especially important for high-risk... Read more
Tumor and Immune Biomarkers Linked to Treatment Response in T-Cell Lymphoma
T-follicular helper cell lymphoma (TFHL) is a subtype of peripheral T-cell lymphoma associated with poor prognosis and limited treatment options after relapse. Its molecular abnormalities include frequent... Read more
Prototype Point-of-Care Lateral Flow Test Aims to Improve Neonatal Sepsis Triage
Sepsis in newborns and young infants remains a major clinical challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. An estimated 2.3 million newborns die each year, with sepsis contributing substantially... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel
Stool Testing Predicts UTI Risk and Guides Antibiotic Selection
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common reason for antibiotic prescribing in general medical practice and can be painful in postmenopausal women, sometimes progressing to kidney infection or life-threatening... Read more
Rapid Host-Response Assay Gains FDA Clearance to Help Distinguish Bacterial and Viral Infections
Bacterial and viral infections often cause similar symptoms, making early differentiation difficult in emergency and urgent care settings. Clinicians may need to begin treatment before traditional diagnostic... Read more
Repeat Prenatal STI Screening and Treatment May Reduce Preterm Births
Preterm birth remains a major obstetric concern and is associated with serious complications in early childhood. Common sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy often cause no symptoms, making... Read more
Decentralized Laboratory Network Improves Detection of Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers in Guinea
Viral hemorrhagic fevers remain a major diagnostic challenge in West Africa because their early symptoms can resemble those of other febrile illnesses. The 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic underscored the need... Read morePathology
view channel
Review Highlights Progress and Validation Needs for AI in Digital Pathology
Pathology remains the gold standard for disease diagnosis, but clinical laboratories face growing demands for faster, more reproducible diagnostic and prognostic workflows. Digital pathology based on whole-slide... Read more
Breakthrough-Designated Cytology Test Supports Oral Cancer Risk Assessment
Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers remain a significant diagnostic challenge, with more than 60,000 Americans expected to be diagnosed in 2026 and more than 13,000 expected to die from these cancers.... Read more
AI Pathology Approach Closely Aligns With Breast Cancer Genomic Risk Classification
In early-stage breast cancer, precision oncology relies on biological information to guide personalized treatment decisions. Because access to tissue-based genomic testing may be limited, there is growing... Read more
Technology
view channel
New qPCR Master Mixes Offer Broad Compatibility for Routine Research
Quantitative PCR (qPCR) workflows require consistent reagent performance across instruments and assay formats. Laboratories must also manage costs without changing established protocols.... Read more
Multi-Agent AI Framework Supports Laboratory Quality and Workflow Monitoring
Clinical laboratories analyze blood, urine, tissue, and other bodily fluids to support disease diagnosis and treatment. Rising test volumes, workforce shortages, and increasingly complex diagnostics are... Read more
Industry
view channel
Siemens Healthineers Begins Transition Toward Standalone Olyrian Diagnostics Business
Siemens Healthineers has begun carving out its in vitro diagnostics business, which will operate as Olyrian Diagnostics. The new name will be introduced in stages as the business prepares to become a standalone... Read more
Agilent Completes Acquisition of Digital Pathology Platform Developer Proscia
Agilent Technologies has completed its acquisition of Proscia, a provider of digital pathology software for clinical and life sciences applications. The transaction involved a cash payment of USD 240 million... Read more
New Diagnostics Company Onvaro Formed to Expand Decentralized Testing
Sapphiros, a diagnostics platform backed by investment funds managed by KKR, and binx health, a point-of-care diagnostics company backed by Hildred, have combined to form Onvaro. The new diagnostics company... Read more