DIAGNOSING AND MONITORING DEPRESSION DISORDERS
Materials and methods related to developing a disease score for a depression disorder (e.g., unipolar depression or major depressive disorder) in a subject using a multi-parameter system to measure a plurality of parameters, and an algorithm to calculate the score. The materials and methods can be used to, for example, diagnose depression disorders, or determine a subject's predisposition to develop a depression disorder. The methods also can include using a multi-parameter hypermapping system and algorithms related thereto.
1 . A method for diagnosing depression in a human subject, comprising
(a) providing numerical values for a plurality of parameters predetermined to be relevant to depression;
(b) individually weighting each of said numerical values by a predetermined function, each function being specific to each parameter;
(c) determining the sum of the weighted values;
(d) determining the difference between said sum and a control value; and
(e) if said difference is greater than a predetermined threshold, classifying said subject as having depression or, if said difference is not different than said predetermined threshold, classifying said subject as not having depression.
2 - 50 . (canceled)