According to a survey from the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 11.2% of teens in the US aged between 13 and 18 years have suffered from severe depression at some point in their lives. Now, researchers from the UK have discovered the first biomarker that could predict the likelihood of clinical depression in teenage boys.
The research team, led by Prof. Ian Goodyer of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, says the discovery could lead to a reduction in the number of people suffering from depression by ensuring the disorder is treated early.
To reach their findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the investigators collected saliva samples from hundreds of teenage boys and girls.
The researchers measured the levels of cortisol - a stress hormone - in the saliva samples, and the teenagers were required to self-report any symptoms of depression.
Based on cortisol levels and depressive symptoms, the investigators divided the teenagers into four groups.
The teenagers were followed up for between 12 and 36 months, after which time the investigators were able to determine which group would be the most likely to develop clinical depression, among other psychiatric disorders.
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