It is possible to predict whether antidepressants will work

A group of researchers from Catholic University of Amsterdam and Radboud University Medical Center studied the effect of medications on patients with depression. Through artificial intelligenceScientists have found out whether these drugs work for people suffering from major depressive disorder.

Thanks to artificial intelligence, scientists analyzed whether the treatment worked or not eight weeks faster. These results, published in American Journal of Psychiatry, They open the door to a new milestone in the application of this technology to human health, and we are increasingly seeing this across all healthcare systems.

“This is important news for patients. It usually takes 6 to 8 weeks before knowing whether the antidepressant will work,” says Lisbeth Reneman, professor of neuroradiology at the UMC in Amsterdam.

This analysis was based on a randomized, multicenter, double-blind clinical trial that included 296 adult patients with non-medicated recurrent or chronic major depressive disorder. The Middle Ages were 38 years and 66% were women. The researchers collected clinical and MRI neuroimaging data before and after one week of treatment.

The research team examined the ability to predict the effects of sertraline, the most commonly prescribed antidepressant in the United States. In a previous US study, 229 patients with major depression received MRI and clinical data before and after a week of treatment. with sertraline or placebo. The Amsterdam scientists then created and used an algorithm to analyze this data.

“Thanks to this method, we can now prevent 2/3 of the number of “inappropriate” sertraline prescriptions and thus offer a better quality of patient care.”

The study confirmed that the drug is effective only a third of patients, which would allow psychiatrists to adjust their treatment plan. “With this method, we can already prevent 2/3 of the number of “inappropriate” sertraline prescriptions and thus offer a better quality of patient care. Because the drug also has side effects,” says Reneman.

“The algorithm assumed that the drug would help those with strong blood flow. in the anterior cingulate cortex, a region of the brain involved in regulating emotions. And at the second measurement, a week after the start, it became clear how severe his symptoms were,” he clarifies. Eric Ruhe, psychiatrist from Radbadumets.

In the future, this approach will optimize the personalization of sertraline treatment for each patient. It cannot be measured accurately at this time; the drug is administered, and after 6 – 8 weeks – often up to six months in practice– its effectiveness is assessed. If symptoms persist, another antidepressant is tried, repeating this process, which usually takes weeks or even months. This standard approach not only entails high costs, but also limits the patient’s full participation in society while suffering from severe depressive symptoms.

In about one in three patients with depression, symptoms do not improve. after several treatment attempts. Therefore, a solution to more quickly assess the effectiveness of antidepressants in severe depression is urgently needed. In the coming periods, the researchers will improve the algorithm to include additional information.