A Difficult Diagnosis
When an individual is touched by mental illness it can lead the patient and his or her family on a confusing and stressful journey. As mental illness progresses over time it can lead to complicated decisions about patient care and treatment. The ability to receive an accurate diagnosis can be the primary obstacle to receiving the right care. This is especially true when dealing with major mental illnesses like schizophrenia. Diagnosis is currently based on a patient’s self-reported experiences and observed behavior. The clinical similarity in experiences and behaviors among these patients creates a formidable diagnostic challenge. This is where the VeriPsych™ blood test can give physicians a valuable new tool to aid in the diagnosis of a suspected schizophrenia patient.
VeriPsych: A Simple Blood Test
Rules-Based Medicine, Inc., is the company that developed the VeriPsych test and is a global leader in cutting-edge biomarker technology. Working with patient blood samples obtained from the University of Cambridge and nine other leading psychiatric research institutions, we identified biomarker patterns that are indicative of schizophrenia patients. Biomarkers are chemicals in human blood that can help physicians diagnose certain illnesses. For example, physicians typically rely on blood tests for glucose and cholesterol levels when they are trying to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
The VeriPsych test measures a broad spectrum of biomarkers, 51 in all, associated with inflammation, metabolism, neurological function and other bodily processes, and known to be associated with schizophrenia and other major mental illnesses as referenced in hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific publications. By taking this “wide angle” view of 51 different biomarkers, VeriPsych can assist physicians in reaching a more conclusive schizophrenia diagnosis for their patients.
How do I get the VeriPsych test?
Getting the VeriPsych test is easy. After a mental healthcare professional orders the test, a phlebotomist collects a blood sample and sends it to Rules-Based Medicine’s CLIA-certified lab in Austin, Texas. Using sophisticated fluorescent detection technology we measure the sample to determine the levels of each of the 51 biomarkers in the VeriPsych test. The results are then statistically compared against our database of thousands of samples from patients who are confirmed positive for schizophrenia. We will send a test report to the patient’s ordering physician within approximately three days following submission of the sample. The report can help the doctor reaching a diagnosis by giving him or her a statistical score that will be indicative of the probability that a patient might have schizophrenia.
How do I pay for the VeriPsych test?
We have assembled a reimbursement and customer care team with broad experience in the mental health field. Our specialists have specific training and expertise in reimbursement and available payment sources for the VeriPsych test. Please visit our reimbursement section for answers to many common questions about reimbursement.
Our Commitment to Care
We understand that living with mental illness can be a difficult burden for patients and their families. We are committed to doing all we can to make VeriPsych available to patients in need.
Please call us to answer any questions or concerns you may have. We look forward to being of assistance.
