Scientists studying people with depression say brain scans could be used to predict who is most likely to relapse, an approach that could help doctors make better decisions about who should stay on antidepressants and who should stop.
In a small study of 64 patients, the researchers found that significant differences showed up in brain scans of those who later went on to have a recurrence of their depression.
While the results need first to be replicated and improved upon, Roland Zahn, who led the work, said the approach may prove important in the future "as there are currently no accurate ways to predict those who will have a recurrence following recovery."