Method and apparatus for diagnosis of a mood disorder or predisposition therefor

摘要

A method for diagnosis of a mood disorder or predisposition therefor in a test subject is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining an interhemispheric switch rate of the test subject, and comparing the switch rate with a corresponding reference switch rate to diagnose presence or absence of the mood disorder or predisposition therefor. In a preferred embodiment, the interhemispheric switch rate is determined by measuring the rate of binocular rivalry in the test subject. Also disclosed is an apparatus for diagnosis of a mood disorder or predisposition therefor, use of the diagnostic method in genetic linkage studies for the identification of the molecular defect(s) underlying these disorders, and for the identification of compounds which may alleviate such disorders.