There’s an interesting article released by the University of Chicago. Researchers from UIC have identified a particular protein, the Gs alpha protein, that may play a role in depression. The Gs alpha protein “…activates adenylyl cyclase, a link in signal transduction, and is responsible for the action of neurotransmitters such as serotonin.”. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has been linked with depression.

While a biological test would measure only one aspect of depression (for most, depression affects multiple domains of their lives), such a test would be useful in quickly evaluating the usefulness of treatments for depression. In an interview, Rasenick said that the test “wouldn’t tell you which [medication] to start, but it would tell you if the one you’re taking is working.”

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