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Given the heterogeneous nature of major depressive disorder (MDD), the search for specific and sensitive diagnostic biological tests has been problematic. Focusing on neurotransmitter systems implicated in MDD, investigators in China examined the potential diagnostic value of selected plasma metabolites.
In an initial study, 50 medication-naive patients with first-episode MDD were compared with 50 demographically similar healthy controls (approximately 50% women; mean ages in the late 30s). Exclusions were other medical or psychiatric diagnoses, substance abuse, pregnancy, nursing, or current menstruation. The initial plasma panel consisted of 19 metabolites of neurotransmitters associated with GABAergic, catecholaminergic, and serotonergic …