Brain Connectivity Predicts Escitalopram Response in Depressed Adolescents

Major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescents is a prevalent and often debilitating condition with distinct neurobiological underpinnings compared to adult depression [1]. While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like escitalopram are a first-line treatment, individual responses vary considerably, and many patients do not achieve remission [2, 3]. This variability highlights a critical need for objective tools to predict treatment outcomes, moving beyond the current trial-and-error approach that can delay effective care [4, 5, 6]. A recent study offers new insight into how baseline brain function may forecast antidepressant response in this vulnerable population.