Comments on: Test Predicts Depression Medication Response

By: jjjjjjjjjjjj

jjjjjjjjjjjj — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:31:08 +0000

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Claudine

Claudine — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:32:45 +0000

Depression is a condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal. This disturbance of mood is characterized by a loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities and can affect anyone.
“Claudine Struck “The Stress Expert” author of “How to Stay Sane When Life Isn’t. ” If you are ready to make you a priority, cultivate healthy relationships and live a more sane, happier life then this inspirational and unique approach to integrating mind, body spirit is for you. . Get free tips and yoga mp3 download now at http://www.staysanenow.com“

By: 247 Heidi

247 Heidi — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:02:22 +0000

This is an interesting breakthrough. It is too bad that so many of these medications have adverse affects after short and long term use that are hard to gage prior to starting treatment.

By: Dawn Pugh

Dawn Pugh — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:03:17 +0000

Hi John,
I recently read an article that informed me of a biomarker test that can detect, confirm or rule out Alzheimer’s disease at the earliest of concerns;
Having been validated by University of Pennsylvania School of medicine. The test worrks by measuring cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of two of the disease’s biochemical hallmarks – amyloid beta42 peptide and tau protein – the test also predicted whether a person’s mild cognitive impairment would convert to Alzheimer’s disease over time. Researchers were able to detect this devastating disease at the earliest stages, before dementia symptoms appeared and widespread irreversible damage occurred.

Marvelous!!
Regards
Dawn Pugh

By: Katrin

Katrin — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:49:40 +0000

skills, they are though doing this research with cancer drugs, and already are applying this as well. There is a CA company, I forgot the name. Supposedly, they analyze your individual cancer tissue and subject it to many different chemotherapeutic agents, and then give you the results. The results will then aid your own oncologist in deciding what will work best for the individual person. It is though not that useful for people who have already been treated, and to provide a specimen of the already treated tumor.

The whole thing does make sense to me. I recall the charge for this testing was/is a few thousand dollars.

By: Depression Anxiety Symptoms | Effects of Depression

Depression Anxiety Symptoms | Effects of Depression — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:04:42 +0000

[...] Test Predicts Depression Medication Response [...]

By: skillsnotpills

skillsnotpills — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:40:58 +0000

I like my clinical skills better: i just throw a dart at a board that lists all the antidepressants on it and the hit hopefully isn’t a miss!

Seriously, when the facts of this test are fully vetted, we’ll find out who is behind this sham and it will be a pharma company, I will not be surprised as who else benefits from this alleged test. Did they find a marker for placebo, because that is an element to the process too?

Who believes this crap anyway? A dumbed down, quick fix seeking, no interest in effort public, that’s who!

Does the test come with a contract to buy the Brooklyn Bridge too?!

By: 314159pi

314159pi — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:35:51 +0000

interesting post. escitalopram is lexapro, not one of your favorites i think.

psychopharmacologists are very good at prescribing these sorts of drugs while regular mds are not experienced enough. and it does take a few weeks to get a therapeutic effect out of ssri-s.
i suppose some insurance companies will want to speed the process along with this sort of testing if it gets people back to work faster.

i happen to take both drugs mentioned (wellbutrin and lexapro) at different times of day. there are a lot of good reasons for doctors to write scripts for drugs they understand very well even if something different more expensive and potentially better is out there. i don’t consider the doctor’s decision to be a ‘mistake’ just because he/she doesn’t prescribe the latest and greatest.
knowing the track record of a drug prescribed for long term care is very important. as an example, the new breed of anti-psychotics give amazing results with fewer discomforts and higher costs. but the long term effects are just becoming known and one might not want to take them.

i seem to recall that marker tests like the ones prescribed here have been successfully used in my area for prescribing chemo-therapy.
but in the case of depression, if a drug doesn’t work you just try something else.

it is often the case with antidepressants that ones working on different receptors are mixed in prescription to kick start each other. your ordinary md probably won’t do this because it is outside the range of his experience. fancy tests are no substitute for a good psychopharmacologist at least not yet.
and let’s hope that doesn’t change too soon or insurance companies will drive them into extinction.

By: Panic

Panic — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:19:57 +0000

I know that each patient must be treated on a case to case basis, but this is the first time I read someone say that med people prescribe based on their own “art”. Anyway, I hope things do get better.

Cheers!
- Barry