Study shows depressed people see the world differently
Posted Jun 04 2009 11:17pm
"We see with our brain, not with our eyes; the eye is only the tool," says Polat, who studied the brain activity of subjects during the experiment. He found unusual patterns emerging: The brain activity of depressed people looked different from that of the control group. He and his team are now looking at ways to turn brain signals into an objective tool, both in diagnostics and for monitoring the course of treatment. Visual perception tests might give psychiatrists a better way to diagnose depression. Currently there is no non-biased test to assess whether someone is clinically depressed. Diagnostic questionnaires can produce inaccurate results, denying patients medication or hospitalization.
The study may also assist psychiatrists in monitoring the effects of anti-depressants such as Prozac ; it could take days instead of the six weeks it now requires to know whether a medication is suitable.
"We see with our brain, not with our eyes; the eye is only the tool," says Polat, who studied the brain activity of subjects during the experiment. He found unusual patterns emerging: The brain activity of depressed people looked different from that of the control group. He and his team are now looking at ways to turn brain signals into an objective tool, both in diagnostics and for monitoring the course of treatment. Visual perception tests might give psychiatrists a better way to diagnose depression. Currently there is no non-biased test to assess whether someone is clinically depressed. Diagnostic questionnaires can produce inaccurate results, denying patients medication or hospitalization.
The study may also assist psychiatrists in monitoring the effects of anti-depressants such as Prozac ; it could take days instead of the six weeks it now requires to know whether a medication is suitable.
Read the entire article from the Jerusalem Press HERE...