AI Predicts Antidepressant Efficacy in a Week
An AI algorithm can predict within a week whether the antidepressant sertraline will be effective for a patient with major depressive disorder, by analyzing brain scans and clinical data. This could help avoid unnecessary prescriptions and improve treatment outcomes.
Summary
Researchers developed an AI algorithm that can predict antidepressant efficacy up to 8 weeks faster than current methods.
It analyzes blood flow in the anterior cingulate cortex and symptom severity to predict sertraline response.
The algorithm correctly identifies one-third of patients as sertraline responders, significantly reducing incorrect prescriptions.
This method may help better tailor depression treatment to individuals, avoiding side effects.
It highlights the potential of AI in revolutionizing mental health care and reducing societal costs of prolonged depressive episodes.
The researchers plan to improve the algorithm further by incorporating additional patient information.
The faster prediction could offer patients better quality care instead of the current trial-and-error approach that takes months.