A group of British scientists have discovered a new camera test that will help diagnose various types of mental illnesses, according to a recent study.
This new method will analyze the patient's eye movements and will look at the abnormal ways of looking at objects associated with psychosis. The researchers involved in the new study believe that it can help differentiate schizophrenia from bipolar disorder and severe forms of depression. They used specialized cameras to track the eye movements of patients as they looked at pictures on a computer screen. Those patients suffering from schizophrenia were found exploring images less fully than those who do not suffer from the condition.
On the other hand, patients suffering from severe depression and bipolar disorder, have had more subtle differences. The three conditions are known to have very similar symptoms which make it very difficult to diagnose or differentiate one from the other. "Recent advancements in eye-tracking technology have enabled the use of eye movement abnormalities as reliable markers to assist diagnosis of these disorders," said Madhu Nair, a technology entrepreneur who is working with Dr. Phillip Benson from Aberdeen University.
"It is a step to change for psychiatry, in which brain scans and DNA techniques have so far failed to produce the results that will help in diagnosing patients. The eye test produces results with 95 percent accuracy within 30 minutes for conditions that could otherwise take several years to diagnose. Patients should be able to access these tests through the healthcare providers within the next few years." Professor Nick Craddock of the Royal College of Psychiatrists welcomes the innovation, saying: Laboratory tests that can help in prompt and accurate diagnosis of severe mental illness will be immensely valuable."
