Could 'body clocks' play a role in depression? Study proposes a new 'circadian' subtype
Researchers propose a new subtype of depression linked to body-clock patterns.
A new study proposes a distinct subtype of depression linked to disruptions in the body's internal clock, known as "circadian depression." The research, published in The British Journal of Psychiatry, suggests that this subtype, which affects about 1 in 4 people with severe, recurrent, or persistent depression, may respond differently to common antidepressant treatments.
The study, conducted on over 11,000 adults in the Australian Genetics of Depression Study, identified the circadian subtype in approximately 2,600 participants based on six key features: seasonal mood swings, late sleep schedules, social jet lag, night-owl habits, excessive sleep, and fatigue upon waking. While the findings are promising, experts caution that further research is needed before the subtype can be formally established and integrated into clinical practice.
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