Sydney, Nov 27 (NationPress) Australian researchers have achieved a significant advancement in diagnosing a serious type of depression through the analysis of facial expressions and brain activity.
Researchers from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute located in Queensland, Australia, announced on Wednesday their findings on diagnosing melancholia by observing individuals as they view a film.
Melancholia represents a severe variant of depression, characterized by profound, enduring sadness, as well as slowed speech, thought processes, and movements. Those affected often exhibit a reduced response to psychological treatments and typically require potent medication or brain stimulation for recovery.
Phillip Mosley, the principal author of the study from QIMR Berghofer, emphasized that early and precise diagnosis of melancholia is essential.
The research team employed artificial intelligence to analyze the facial expressions of 70 participants in a clinical trial suffering from depression while they watched a humorous film. Subsequently, the participants viewed an emotional short film as their brain activity was monitored.
Mosley noted that participants with melancholia exhibited distinct reactions to the stimuli compared to individuals with non-melancholic depression.
"Individuals affected by melancholia displayed flat expressions and did not smile during the comedic video. This observable difference was quantitatively confirmed when we conducted a thorough analysis of the facial muscles involved in smiling," he stated.
Additionally, the brains of those with melancholia showed a diminished or blunted response during uplifting moments in the emotional film, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
"This research will enable general practitioners and other healthcare providers to diagnose individuals with melancholic depression more swiftly and accurately, helping them to recover and reconnect with their loved ones sooner," Mosley remarked.
The team plans to further investigate the hypothesis that melancholic depression may respond better to neuromodulation, a medical method that utilizes electrical stimulation or chemical agents to enhance the functionality of the nervous system.
