The methods of the present invention are useful for determining whether an individual has or is at risk of developing an affective disorder by detecting the expression level of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in a biological sample. The methods of the present invention are also useful for identifying compounds that modulate (e.g., decrease) the expression level or activity of CTGF. The present invention further provides therapeutic methods that target CTGF for the treatment of an affective disorder.

The invention relates to a method of differentially diagnosing schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.

Contemplated test kits and methods for food sensitivity are based on rational-based selection of food preparations with established discriminatory p-value. Particularly preferred kits include those with a minimum number of food preparations that have an average discriminatory p-value of ?0.07 as determined by their raw p-value or an average discriminatory p-value of ?0.10 as determined by FDR multiplicity adjusted p-value. In further contemplated aspects, compositions and methods for food sensitivity are also stratified by gender to further enhance predictive value.

The present invention provides methods to modulate key elements along the DAG signaling pathway as well as a diagnostic assay, device and methods of using the same to diagnose bipolar disorder (BD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods to identify diagnostic markers and drug targets for BD and ADHD. Methods of identifying effective compounds responsible for membrane potentials and excitabilities influencing bipolar disorder (BD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods of identifying an effective compound that modulates the activity of Ca.sup.2+/CaM enzyme and compounds involved in changing the K.sup.+ gradient across the plasma membrane thereby increasing or decreasing the membrane potential ratio (MPR) values. The invention provides methods of identifying a compound that modulates the activity of PKC which is an important protein of the DAG signaling pathway. Methods of identifying a compound that modulates DAG and its related enzymes along the DAG signaling pathway are provided. These compounds decrease or increase the membrane potential ratio (MPR) in BD and ADHD patients.

Described herein are methods of identifying, characterizing, and treating depression and anxiety in a subject by modulating indoles associated with tryptophan metabolism in the subject and subject's gut microbiome.

Described herein are methods and compositions for diagnosing and evaluating the treatment of depression using one or more biomarker metabolites for the diagnosis and monitoring treatment efficacy. In one aspect, the biomarker metabolites comprise bile acids and can be used to screen subjects for the likelihood of developing depression or anxiety, the diagnosis thereof, monitoring the efficacy of treatment, and evaluating a subject's propensity for responding to treatment.

Provided are methods for determining the level of microglial activation in the brain of a subject by measuring blood Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), Prostaglandin F2, or both, and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) concentrations in a sample obtained from a subject, wherein the ratio of [PGE2]/[CRP], [PGF2]/[CRP], or both, is indicative of the level of microglial activation in the brain of the subject.

In some embodiments, methods of inhibiting, ameliorating, reducing the severity of, treating, reducing the likelihood of, or preventing social isolation stress or symptoms thereof in a subject in need thereof are described. In some embodiments, methods of determining a risk of social isolation stress in a subject are described.

The present disclosure is directed toward methods for detecting brain related maladies in a subject by measuring levels of at least one of the identified biomarkers, as compared to a control. Brain related maladies include physical trauma to the brain, neurodegenerative disorders, and mental illness. The detection of the target biomarkers in ocular fluid provides a simpler and more effective sample matrix as compared to other biological matrices.

A diagnostically useful carrier can include a means for capturing Neurogranin, a means for capturing BACE1 and preferably a means for capturing one or more additional biomarkers. The diagnostically useful carrier can be part of a kit. The kit or the carrier can be used in contacting a sample from a subject with a means for capturing Neurogranin, isolating the means for capturing Neurogranin from the sample, contacting a sample from a subject with a means for capturing BACE1, and isolating the means for capturing BACE1 from the sample. The diagnosis aims to distinguish a neurodegenerative disease, preferably mild Alzheimer's disease, and depression with or without cognitive impairment.