AI Helps Ascertain If an Antidepressant Is Likely To Be Effective

The psychiatry field has long sought answers to explain why antidepressants help only some people. Is a patient's recovery due merely to a placebo effect – the self-fulfilling belief that a treatment will work – or can the biology of the person influence the outcome? Two studies led by UT Southwestern provide evidence for the impact of biology by using artificial intelligence to identify patterns of brain activity that make people less responsive to certain antidepressants. Put simply, scientists showed they can use imaging of a patient's brain to decide whether a medication is likely to be effective. The studies include the latest findings from a large national trial (EMBARC) intended to establish biology-based, objective strategies to remedy mood disorders and minimize the trial and error of prescribing treatments.