The test results are promising, not just because the test appeared to work, but because the researcher’s efforts are part of a bigger push towards transforming how we diagnose and treat mental illness.
For the vast majority of medical problems, there’s a diagnostic test that can tell you what course of treatment you should embark on. Picture a scenario where someone with depression walks into a clinic takes the test, and finds out she probably won’t respond well to antidepressants.
The test has only been given to people with diagnosed depression in preliminary study settings so far.