A new study found that timely treatment of depression can reduce the risk of dementia by about 30% in certain patient groups. The study, published in Biological Psychiatry, analyzed data from over 350,000 participants and found that depression elevated the risk of dementia by 51%, but treatment reduced this risk. Those with increasing ...
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a significant decrease in hospital admissions for first-time clinical depression and recurrent depression, while outpatient treatment remained stable. This shift implies that many patients did not receive appropriate care for their condition, potentially leading to long-term quality of life loss.
A new study has identified two distinct brain networks associated with risk and resilience in depression. The salience network is linked to increased depression symptoms, while the default mode network is linked to decreased depression symptoms. These findings may lead to new treatments for depression using neuromodulation therapies.
Researchers found strong and linear associations between social media use and depression across all personality traits. Young adults who used more social media were 49% less likely to become depressed if they had high agreeableness compared to those with low agreeableness.
A study by UCSF found that routine depression screening in primary care increased rates from 40.5% to 88.8%, capturing previously undertreated groups. Screening disparities virtually disappeared for older patients, Black/African Americans, and non-English speakers.
A study published in Neurology found that pregnant women with epilepsy have more symptoms of depression and anxiety than those without epilepsy or pregnant women with epilepsy. The study highlights the importance of screening and treating depression and anxiety in pregnant women with epilepsy.
Researchers found that a gene called Rgs2 plays a crucial role in depression-related behavior, particularly in women. Increasing this gene's expression in the nucleus accumbens reversed stress effects and improved motivation in female mice, suggesting a potential molecular mechanism contributing to the lack of response to depression tr...
Research from Penn State and Michigan State found paternal depression symptoms associated with adolescent depression and behavior problems, even among non-genetically related families. Parent-child conflict was a key factor contributing to these effects.
A Rutgers study found that parental depression affects about one in five US families and can have severe consequences on children's health. The research suggests that increased screening for parental depression across a wider age range has the potential to identify families in need of resources.
A new study from Keck Medicine of USC shows that patients with IBD are nine times more likely to develop depression than the general population, while those with depression are twice as likely to develop IBD. Siblings without either condition are also at increased risk.
Rates of postpartum depression symptoms increased nationwide during the pandemic, reaching a high of 7.7% in December 2020 to March 2021. States with fewer COVID-19 deaths and lower unemployment rates showed greater increases in symptoms, likely due to reduced access to support systems.
A significant proportion of youth with substance use and depression show early improvements in depression during treatment for substance use. Lower frequency of cannabis use at baseline is a predictor of early depression response. Both additional CBT or community treatment improved depression symptoms in those without an early response.
A new Penn Medicine study suggests that clinically depressed older individuals without other inflammatory conditions do not have elevated levels of inflammation. The study found no significant difference in bloodstream levels of inflammatory markers between depressed and healthy individuals.
Researchers analyzed health records of nearly half a million patients post-heart attack and found that depression was associated with a nearly 50% higher stroke risk compared to those without depression. The study highlights the need for greater attention to mental health in research and practice.
Researchers at University of Michigan found that postpartum depression rose considerably during the pandemic, with 1 in 5 mothers experiencing major depressive symptoms. The study highlights the need for better resources and education on postpartum depression to reduce stigma and improve recovery time.
A new BU study found that individuals with physical, social, and financial assets, particularly higher incomes and fewer savings, were less likely to experience sustained depression during the first year of the pandemic. Persistent depression was highest among people in low-income households and those with fewer savings.
A new study of over 1.1 million new mothers worldwide found that first-time mothers, women under 25, and mothers of twins are at higher risk for postpartum depression. Women aged 40 and older having twins are particularly vulnerable to the condition.
A new study identifies common genetic factors in depression and Alzheimer's disease, suggesting a potential causal role of depression on dementia. The research found that depression played a significant role in AD development, with those experiencing worse depression experiencing faster memory decline.
The Lancet Commission highlights the need for concerted efforts to improve mental health care and prevention globally. Experts stress that depression is a common yet undertreated condition with significant social and economic impacts.
A study by Washington State University found that social support can mitigate the risk of heart disease and death in older American Indians. Higher rates of depression symptoms, poor quality of life, and social isolation were linked to increased mortality, but instrumental social support reversed this effect.
Researchers found gender-specific brain alterations in people with depression, including altered blood-brain barriers in women. They also identified a potential depression biomarker in women's blood samples.
A clinical trial of 18,353 adults found no benefit of omega-3 supplements in preventing depression. The study, led by Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, tested the effect of daily vitamin D and/or omega-3 supplements on depression risk over a median of 5.3 years.
A new study found that bowel cancer patients are at high risk of clinical levels of depression, with over a third experiencing symptoms up to five years after surgery. The study identified risk factors such as pre-existing depression and anxiety, low social support, and poor health.
A new study found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-I) prevented major depression in older adults with insomnia, decreasing the likelihood of depression by over 50%. CBT-I was more effective than sleep education therapy in preventing depression and promoting sustained remission of insomnia.
Children of depressed parents are more likely to develop depression and poor academic performance, according to a new study published in PLOS ONE. The study found that both maternal and paternal depression have significant effects on children's mental health and educational outcomes.
Longitudinal study reveals cortical thinning in people with bipolar disorder, especially those with more manic episodes. The findings suggest that bipolar disorder may be a neuroprogressive disorder, worsened by the progression of symptoms.
Researchers from Regenstrief Institute found that Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information Systems (PROMIS) scales for depression can accurately diagnose and track patient symptoms. The study showed similar accuracy to the widely adopted PHQ-9 scale, supporting PROMIS as a viable screening option.
Researchers found that patients with more severe depression histories showed less brain activity in areas processing emotions, while those who had remitted from depression showed a normal level of activity. This suggests that serious depression may change the way the brain responds to emotion over time, or that people with stronger emo...
A new study has found that worsening depression after diagnosis significantly reduces the survival of lung cancer patients. The trajectory of depressive symptoms was found to be a key factor in understanding how depression relates to premature death. Patients with worsening depression had shorter lifespans, even when receiving advanced...
A study of over 29,000 American women found that breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of postpartum depression. Women who breastfed for longer periods had lower rates of postpartum depression, with those breastfeeding for 6-12 months showing the greatest reduction.
Problem-solving therapy led to short-term changes in the amygdala, a key region for emotion regulation, in individuals with comorbid depression and obesity. The study suggests that neural target changes at two months predicted improved behavioral outcomes after 12 months.
Research by the University of Bristol found that children born to depressed mothers are more likely to develop depressive symptoms by age 24, with scores almost three points higher than offspring of non-depressed mothers. The study highlights the importance of antenatal and postnatal depression support.
Patients with bipolar disorder experiencing manic episodes show abnormal brain changes, including faster cortical thinning, compared to those without episodes. The study also found associations between brain ventricle enlargement and accelerated cognitive decline in bipolar patients.
A new study found that psychological interventions can have a significant effect on the treatment of subthreshold depression in adolescents. The meta-analysis showed that approximately eight adolescents need to be treated to see one more positive outcome than no treatment, with moderate effects size.
A new study published in Neurology shows that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and depression are more likely to die over the next decade than those with MS alone or neither condition. The study also found a higher risk of developing vascular disease, such as heart attack and stroke, among individuals with both MS and depression.
Researchers have found that improved learning processes are associated with reduced symptoms of depression. By using brain imaging and mathematical modeling, the team identified distinct paths to depression symptoms and proposed a new approach for treating clinical depression.
A University of Otago study found that women with postpartum depression experience different intensity and hedonic perception of smells compared to healthy women. The research adds evidence to the argument that postpartum depression should be studied separately from major depression.
A new study published in The Lancet Psychiatry suggests that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a medically safe mental health intervention for individuals with severe depression. The research, which analyzed over 10,000 patients, found no clinically significant increased risk of serious medical events with ECT exposure.
A large study found that depression symptoms in fathers of premature infants persist after discharge from the NICU, affecting their ability to engage in positive parenting activities. The researchers emphasize the need for increased attention to mental health support for new fathers during this critical period.
A phase 2 trial found that a single one-hour treatment with nitrous oxide can relieve symptoms of treatment-resistant depression for several weeks. The study showed significant improvements in depression symptoms, with a four-fold lower risk of adverse effects at lower concentrations.
A large-scale genetic analysis of depression identified 178 loci and 223 single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with increased depression risk. The study, involving over 1.2 million participants, provides new insights into the biological basis of depression and potential drug repurposing.
A study published in BJPsych Open found that women with depression during pregnancy or a history of depression had reduced quality of mother-infant interactions. Despite this, all mothers and their babies improved over time, indicating potential for future attunement.
After cognitive behavioral therapy, serotonin transporter levels increased in individuals recovering from depression. This finding suggests that the serotonin system may play a role in protecting against depression, rather than causing it.
Patients with glandular fever who have hospital contact are at a greater risk of developing depression, according to the largest study yet. The study found a 40% relative risk increase in depression after hospitalization for glandular fever, particularly among young people.
Researchers have identified 19 genes and 25 corresponding proteins that may contribute to the cause of depression. These findings offer promise as potential targets for new depression treatments and could serve as biomarkers for depressive symptoms.
IU School of Medicine researchers have developed a blood test that can distinguish between severe depression and bipolar disorder, as well as predict future episodes. The test uses RNA biomarkers to inform tailored medication choices, offering a promising precision medicine approach to treatment.
A small study found that exposure to phthalates and bisphenols, commonly found in plastics, may contribute to lower progesterone levels during pregnancy and an increased likelihood of developing postpartum depression. Reducing exposure to these chemicals could be a potential avenue for preventing postpartum depression.
Research suggests non-drug therapies like exercise and social interactions may reduce symptoms of depression in people with dementia. These interventions are found to be as or more effective than drugs in treating depression, suggesting a shift towards 'social' prescribing.
Research highlights increased depression risk after stroke compared to heart attacks, with female stroke patients facing a higher risk. Studies found that post-stroke depression affects up to a third of stroke patients and has poorer quality of life outcomes.
Researchers have identified ezogabine, a drug that opens potassium channels in the brain, as a promising new approach to treating depression. The study showed significant improvements in depressive symptoms and anhedonia in patients with depression.
A new study found that people with depression and anxiety may experience dementia symptoms about two years earlier than those without these conditions. Those with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia may start experiencing symptoms three to seven years earlier.
A new study led by the University of Ottawa found that chronic sleep disruption during adolescence can lead to depression in both males and females. Adolescent females were particularly vulnerable to stress hormone release and activation of stress-sensitive brain cells, suggesting a higher risk of mood disorder development.
A large long-term study found that women with PTSD and depression have an almost fourfold greater risk of early death from various causes than women without trauma exposure or depression. The study suggests that other factors, such as stress hormones, may account for the higher risk.
A recent analysis found limited research evaluating depression screening tools in patients with kidney failure. The most extensively studied tool was the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), but many studies were small and had shortcomings.
A longitudinal study of almost 85,000 people found that a combination of lifestyle interventions including optimal sleep and reduced screen time can help prevent depression. Additionally, healthy dietary patterns and physical activity were also associated with lower rates of depressed mood.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System are searching for biomarkers to predict the duration and severity of depression in adolescents. The goal is to identify teens who need more significant help with their depression, potentially leading to new treatments.
A new study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that loneliness is a leading cause of depression in older adults, with nearly one in five cases potentially preventable. The research, led by UCL researchers, suggests that subjective experiences of loneliness contribute to depression up to 12 years later.
Researchers found that abnormal amyloid deposits were present in fewer older adults with major depression compared to non-depressed control subjects. However, the study suggests that depression is still a risk factor for cognitive decline, but through a mechanism other than amyloid deposition.
Tropical Depression 22 is strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico, with NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite providing infrared images. The depression is forecast to move slowly and could strengthen into a hurricane by Sunday.
A new study found that depression is associated with increased inflammation and metabolic changes, but not anxiety. The research used blood samples from over 300 people with depression and anxiety to identify biochemical markers, revealing distinct patterns of lipid metabolism and immune system involvement.