SYDNEY, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- An Australian study has identified a clinically distinct subtype of depression that may explain why standard antidepressants often fail, paving the way for more personalized treatments.
Researchers from the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Center analyzed data from nearly 15,000 Australians with depression and identified a clinically distinct "atypical depression" subtype that is strongly linked to other mental and physical illnesses like diabetes, said a statement from the center on Friday.
Published in Biological Psychiatry, the study found that this atypical depression group, about 21 percent of the sample, did not respond well to common antidepressants such as SSRIs and SNRIs.
These common drugs target brain chemistry, but the study's findings suggest other biological processes, such as a dysregulated body clock, might be behind this type of depression, suggesting a need for alternative treatment strategies, the statement said.
The study also found that the group with atypical depression was more prone to side effects from common antidepressants, such as weight gain, it said.
Researchers linked this subtype to higher genetic risks for metabolic, immune, inflammatory and circadian (body clock) markers, underscoring the need for more tailored treatments based on an individual's biology.
"This personalized approach would ensure people got help sooner and avoid ineffective and prolonged medication trials that may cause side effects that can be distressing," said study lead author Mirim Shin, research fellow at the Brain and Mind Center.
Center Co-Director, Professor Ian Hickie said the research highlights that many people, particularly women, still do not receive effective treatment the first time they seek help.
"This research makes a strong case for more precise treatment for individuals based on their biology as a vital tool in tackling increasing rates of depression," Hickie said. ■
