Iranian researchers lead breakthrough in personalised depression treatment

A new academic study from Tehran University of Medical Sciences suggests that, with the help of genetic testing, it may soon be possible to determine whether a prescribed antidepressant will work, long before clinical symptoms begin to change. The developments were reported by Mehr News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS.

The research, led by Professor Mohammad Hossein Ghahramani, a pharmacologist and expert in molecular toxicology, examined how commonly used antidepressants affect gene expression. 

Blood samples taken before and after treatment showed that four out of five key genes, previously inactive in depressed patients, became active following several weeks of medication. These included genes linked to neural growth and synaptic function, suggesting that antidepressants may work by reactivating biological pathways critical to mental health.

Crucially, the study highlights the potential of using blood-based genetic markers to monitor how an individual responds to treatment, offering a more precise, science-based method of managing depression. If genetic changes are not observed within the first few weeks, clinicians could intervene earlier, adjusting the type or dosage of medication rather than waiting months to see if symptoms improve.

According to Professor Ghahramani, the findings support a broader shift toward personalised or "precision" medicine in psychiatry, where treatment is tailored to the patient’s unique genetic and biological profile.