If you are feeling blue, then the world looks distinctly grey
Francis Sedgemore has highlighted some intriguing research from the world of psychiatry, which may for the first time allow us to objectively measure something as subjective as mood. This from Francis:
……people suffering from clinical depression have difficulty in detecting differences in black and white contrast.
In their work, Ludger Tebartz van Elst and his colleagues measured the ophthalmic analogue of the electrocardiogram, and detected in these ‘pattern electroretinograms’ a dramatically lower contrast gain in depressed subjects, whether or not they were taking antidepressant drugs. The researchers also found a correlation between contrast gain and severity of depression.
If this reseach is validated, then this could potentially afford us an exciting opportunity to objectively measure levels of depression, and tailor therapy accordingly!
Tags: Science & Medical