How to Identify Depression Through MRIS

Depression can cause both mental and physical side effects. Currently, depression is diagnosed by a series of tests that include a physical exam, lab tests and a full psychological evaluation. Diagnosis of depression must presently meet the symptomatic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. However, researchers have recently been experimenting with a biological approach to identify depression through MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging. While there is no significant conclusive evidence, researchers feel that MRI has significant potential to identify the mechanisms and areas in the brain responsible for depression.

Instructions

How to Identify Depression through MRI

• 1

  Visit a qualified physician for an initial diagnosis of depression. Depression is often mistaken for other mental disorders such as bipolar disorder, attention deficit disorder and schizoaffective disorder. Have a full psychological exam to make sure you are suffering from major depression and not another disorder. The exam may include questions about your thoughts, disposition and daily routine. Physicians may also take blood samples and give you a full body physical to determine any underlying conditions that may be causing your depression.

• 2

  Ask your physician for further identification of depression after your initial diagnosis. Because it's not currently common for doctors to identify depression through MRI, you may need to specifically request an MRI. Nevertheless, physicians will request an MRI if they believe your depression is a symptom of another brain condition.

• 3

  Tell the MRI technician you'd like to look for signs of depression during the scan. Your technician should involve you in a challenging metal exercise while you're undergoing the MRI. According to the School of Molecular and Clinical Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, successful trials have shown that depressed patients demonstrate increased activity in the rostral anterior cingulate and additional medial prefrontal brain areas when they perform difficult mental activities.

• 4

  Ask the technician to note activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. According to a study by the Institute of Psychiatry, there is a significant difference in activity during depression and during remission in these areas. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex is hyperactive during depression and decreases in activity during remission. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is hypoactive during depression and increases in activity during remission. While these biological signs of depression have not yet been shown to be significant, they may help with identification of depression through MRI.

• 5

  Seek and receive treatment for major depression. A large number of treatments are available, and your doctor will help you decide which treatment plan is best for you. Treatments may include medications, therapy and lifestyle changes.