New Blood Test Could Revolutionize Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis
A new finger-prick blood test has the potential to significantly improve the diagnosis of bipolar disorder, a condition that affects 1.3 million people in the UK. Currently, it takes an average of nine-and-a-half years to receive a bipolar diagnosis, with patients typically being misdiagnosed three times before getting the proper diagnosis.
Bipolar disorder is characterized by periods of manic highs and depressive lows. However, the depressive symptoms of bipolar are often mistaken for other mental health conditions, with 40% of patients wrongly diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). This misdiagnosis can have devastating consequences, as the treatments for bipolar and MDD differ. Bipolar disorder requires a mood stabilizer, while MDD is typically treated with antidepressants. Prescribing antidepressants to patients with bipolar disorder can be ineffective or even trigger a manic episode.
The difficulty in differentiating between bipolar disorder and MDD is compounded by the fact that patients with bipolar tend to seek help when they are depressed, rather than during a manic episode. This makes it challenging for doctors to accurately diagnose bipolar disorder.
However, a team of scientists at Cambridge University has developed a simple blood test that may revolutionize the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. The blood test is based on research involving 241 people who had been diagnosed with MDD within the previous five years, but some actually had bipolar disorder. Each participant completed an online mental health assessment and performed a finger-prick blood test at home, with the samples being screened for 630 potential biomarkers in the lab.
The analysis revealed 17 biomarkers linked to bipolar disorder, with high levels of ceramide, a type of fat that insulates brain cells, showing the strongest association. The blood test, when used alone and looking for these 17 biomarkers, accurately identified 30% of people with bipolar disorder. And when used in conjunction with the online questionnaire, the accuracy rose to 90%.
Dr. Jakub Tomasik, a senior research associate at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, who conducted the study, stated, “Psychiatric assessments are highly effective, but the ability to diagnose bipolar disorder with a simple blood test could ensure that patients get the right treatment the first time. It would also help alleviate some of the pressures on medical professionals.”
The blood test, which is the first of its kind for bipolar disorder, could be particularly helpful in cases where it is unclear whether a patient has bipolar or another depressive condition. It could provide the additional information needed to make a fast and accurate diagnosis, allowing for prompt treatment.
While more research is needed, the researchers are hopeful that the test will be available within the next couple of years. Simon Kitchen, CEO of charity Bipolar UK, describes the findings as “potentially groundbreaking.” He emphasizes the importance of reducing misdiagnoses and the delay in receiving a bipolar diagnosis, as this delay often leads to years of living with untreated symptoms and increases the risk of suicide.
Carmine Pariante, a professor of biological psychiatry at King’s College London, welcomes the study but notes that more research is needed. He points out that other studies have shown that biomarkers for inflammation can also help predict treatment response in depression.
If successfully developed and implemented, this blood test could have a profound impact on the timely and accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder, providing patients with the appropriate treatment sooner and potentially saving lives.