### Abstract: Oxford Study Aims to Find Faster-Acting Anti-Depressants for Patients #### Introduction A groundbreaking study, known as the PReDicT (Predicting Response to Depression Treatment) trial, is being launched by researchers at the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Oxford University’s Department of Psychiatry, in collaboration with the Oxfordshire-based company P1vital Products Ltd. The study aims to develop a method to identify anti-depressant treatments that work more quickly for individual patients, potentially reducing the time it takes to find an effective medication from months to weeks. #### Background Depression is a prevalent mental health condition, and while there are numerous anti-depressant drugs available, the effectiveness of these medications varies significantly among patients. Traditionally, it takes between 4-6 weeks of treatment for patients to start feeling better, and many do not respond to their initial prescribed anti-depressant. This trial period can be prolonged, often extending to several months, as healthcare providers try different medications to find one that is effective. The delay in finding the right treatment can have a profound and often devastating impact on patients' lives. #### Key Findings and Methodology The PReDicT study is based on the pioneering work of Professor Catherine Harmer from Oxford University’s Department of Psychiatry. Her research has revealed that individuals with depression tend to pay more attention to negative information, such as fearful or sad faces. However, this negative bias diminishes within a week of starting an effective anti-depressant medication, well before other symptoms of depression begin to improve. This early shift in perception can serve as a predictive marker for the effectiveness of the medication over a longer period. Dr. Michael Browning, a consultant psychiatrist at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and a researcher at Oxford University’s Department of Psychiatry, is leading the study. He explains, "It used to be thought that anti-depressant medication could only act on brain chemistry, while you needed things like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to change the way people looked at the world. But these results show that drugs also have an effect on negative thinking styles." #### The P1vital® PReDicT Test The P1vital® PReDicT test is a key component of the study. This test involves patients with depression quickly judging the expression of faces flashed on a computer screen. Individuals with depression are typically faster at recognizing fearful and sad faces and may even misinterpret slightly happy faces as sad. The test is delivered online and has been developed by P1vital Products Ltd based on Professor Harmer's research. #### Study Design and Recruitment The PReDicT study will recruit patients with depression from five European countries, including the UK. Participants will be divided into two groups: one group will undergo the P1vital® PReDicT test after a week of starting their prescribed anti-depressant medication, while the other group will receive standard care without the test. If the test indicates no change in the patient's perception of faces within a week, the patient will be switched to a different medication. #### Expected Outcomes The primary goal of the study is to determine whether the P1vital® PReDicT test can effectively predict which anti-depressant medication will work for a patient within a week. If successful, the study could significantly reduce the time it takes to find an effective treatment, thereby alleviating the burden of depression more quickly and improving patient outcomes. Dr. Browning emphasizes the potential impact of the study: "Too many patients with depression have to wait months before finding a treatment that helps them. If successful, this study will demonstrate how to drastically reduce this period and so reduce the often devastating impact that depression can have on lives." #### Significance The PReDicT study represents a significant step forward in personalized medicine for depression. By leveraging a simple, yet effective, cognitive test, the study aims to optimize the treatment process, ensuring that patients receive the most beneficial medication in the shortest possible time. This approach could not only improve the quality of life for individuals with depression but also reduce the overall healthcare costs associated with prolonged treatment periods. #### Conclusion The PReDicT study, conducted by a team of researchers from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford University’s Department of Psychiatry, and P1vital Products Ltd, is poised to revolutionize the treatment of depression. By identifying early changes in cognitive perception, the study may enable healthcare providers to predict the effectiveness of anti-depressant medications more accurately and quickly, leading to better patient outcomes and a more efficient healthcare system. The recruitment of patients from multiple European countries underscores the international significance and potential applicability of the findings.