50 percent of patients diagnosed with depression do not respond to traditional antidepressants or psychotherapy, and a new study—the largest study of its kind—says it may have to do with genetics. Researchers from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and University of Queensland studied the potential genetic risk factors of depression, and have linked 44 genes to the mental health disorder. Depression is the leading cause of disability for Americans between the ages of 15 and 44, and results in one million suicides annually.
It’s no secret that depression is misunderstood. For years, researchers have been trying to make a connection between genetics and the disorder. This recent study—which analyzed the DNA of 135,000 people suffering from depression, plus 350,000 healthy individuals—revealed game changing information about depression genetics. The hope is that the results will eventually lead doctors and scientists towards more effective treatments for depression. In fact, this study unveiled the fact that many traditional antidepressants were coincidentally designed to target some of the genes deemed to be connected with depression. This may be why antidepressants work so well for some people, but are ineffective for others.
While ketamine infusions have a much better track record than traditional antidepressants when it comes to alleviating the symptoms of depression—multiple studies have shown ketamine to be effective for about 70% of patients—there still is a small percentage of individuals who don’t respond to depression treatment at all. This new information about depression genetics could unlock the solution and help researchers find an effective treatment for this population of individuals. Everyone deserves to have hope for a rich and fulfilling life…
Contact Vitalitas
If you or a loved one is suffering from depression, ketamine infusions may be the solution you have been looking for. Arguably the most effective depression treatment available today, ketamine can change—and save—lives. Our Littleton and Westminster, CO ketamine clinics have treated hundreds of patients, and we’ve seen how ketamine treatments can enable patients to reclaim their lives and restore their happiness. Contact us using the brief form below and a member of our clinical team will reach out to answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you determine if ketamine is the right depression treatment for you.
