Research on depression and its treatment. Covers stress-response biology, ketamine and dopamine-targeting therapies, treatment-resistant cases, and brain mechanisms.
Researchers discover that burning frankincense activates poorly understood ion channels in the brain, alleviating anxiety and depression. Incensole acetate, a Boswellia resin constituent, activates TRPV3 channels, providing a potential new class of depression and anxiety treatments.
The study found that aging is associated with more positive than negative emotions, and more passive than active emotions. Women had more negative than positive emotions, and participants with higher income and education levels had significantly more positive emotions.
A University of Nebraska Medical Center-led pilot study found that antidepressants significantly reduced the risk of depression in head and neck cancer patients. The study, led by Drs. William Lydiatt and Bill Burke, showed that only 15% of patients who took antidepressants experienced depression, compared to 50% of those who did not.
Young children whose mothers are severely depressed are nearly three times more likely to suffer accidental injuries than other children in the same age group. Mothers with chronic depression may not properly safeguard their environments, leading to poor supervision and increased injury risks.
A University of Alberta study found that almost 600 recent graduates showed a significant decrease in depressive symptoms over seven years. Expressed anger declined over time after graduation, indicating improved mental health.
A study led by a nursing professor is evaluating the effectiveness of telephone-based interpersonal psychotherapy for treating postpartum depression. The trial involves trained nurses providing therapy to clinically depressed women in remote areas with limited access to mental health services.
New University of Michigan Depression Center research shows depressed people have fewer serotonin & opioid receptors, varying greatly among individuals. The number of receptors affects symptom severity and treatment response, suggesting personalized medicine approaches may be more effective.
New British Association of Pharmacology guidelines suggest that antidepressants are effective in treating depression, especially severe cases. In contrast, evidence for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is limited, particularly for mild and moderate depression.
A study found that low vitamin D levels and high parathyroid hormone levels are associated with depression in older adults. The researchers measured blood levels of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone and assessed symptoms of depression among 1,282 community residents.
Children who experience sudden parental death are three times more likely to develop depression, and both children and their caregivers are at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder. The study highlights the importance of preventive measures and monitoring for mental health issues in families affected by sudden loss.
Aerobic exercise combined with cognitive behavioral therapy may improve depression, physical function and quality of life in depressed heart failure patients. The study found that the combination group showed significant improvement in depression symptoms and physical function tests compared to other groups.
Research suggests tricyclic antidepressant desmethylimipramine can restore vagal function and reduce intestinal inflammation in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease and depression. Decreased vagal signaling and increased macrophage presence in the intestine are key factors in increasing susceptibility to intestinal inflammation.
Researchers used laser micro-dissection to study gene expression in the human hypothalamus, a region crucial for stress response and depression development. The study found significant changes in five genes involved in corticotrophin-releasing factor activation, which may lead to new therapeutic strategies.
A new University of Florida study reveals a link between relational victimization in adolescence and depression and anxiety in early adulthood. The study found that having friends or positive social relationships did not lessen rates of depression and anxiety, suggesting that this type of bullying can have long-lasting consequences.
A new RAND Corporation study finds nearly 20% of returning military service members report symptoms of PTSD or major depression, with only half receiving minimally adequate treatment. The study estimates PTSD and depression among returning service members will cost the nation up to $6.2 billion in the two years following deployment.
Research highlights importance of targeting stigma associated with depression, particularly among less-educated men and those born overseas. Personal stigma is lower among those with depression, while higher education levels and depression knowledge reduce stigmatizing attitudes.
Researchers discovered disparities in depression among older Hispanics in the US, with Puerto Ricans having higher rates than other groups. The study found nearly 7% of Puerto Ricans suffer from major depression, compared to 2.8% of Mexican Americans and 2.5% of Cuban Americans.
A unique study found that people with anxious personality traits face a higher risk of first-time clinically significant depression after age 70. Long-standing personality traits can predict onset of depression into older adulthood, especially among women and those from working-class backgrounds.
A recent study suggests that depression care management can improve survival rates in older cancer patients. The research found that comorbid depression shortens survival time with cancer, but intervention with medication and psychotherapy can extend life among cancer patients.
A new study led by Emory University researcher Charles L. Raison found that Tibetan refugees, especially those born in Tibet, experience high levels of depression and anxiety. The study also showed that time spent in India can improve symptoms, but the emotional trauma remains a concern.
Researchers found that a higher number of positive experiences is associated with fewer symptoms of depression and better quality of life in people with MS. The study suggests incorporating daily activities like thanking someone or exercising can limit the risks and costs of medical treatments for depression.
A study of 1,000 adults found that childhood maltreatment is associated with increased levels of inflammation and depression in adulthood. Individuals with both conditions were at highest risk for cardiovascular disease. The early recognition of maltreatment history may help address pressing needs for care of depressed individuals.
Excessive daytime sleepiness in children is linked to increased symptoms of anxiety and depression later in life. Parents' reports of their child's sleep patterns also show a correlation with emotional and behavioral difficulties.
Researchers studied 917 older Catholic nuns and found that depressive symptoms did not increase before diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease. Instead, those with more symptoms were more likely to develop the condition, implying depression may be a risk factor for dementia.
A new study published in Sleep confirms that insomnia increases the risk of subsequent depression among young adults. The study, which followed 591 participants over 20 years, found that insomnia was a chronic problem that preceded depression more consistently than vice versa.
A study found that persistent insomnia increased the risk of remaining depressed and achieving less than 50% clinical improvement. Elderly patients with major depressive disorder were more likely to remain depressed if they had persistent insomnia, regardless of treatment type.
A new study using fMRI found that people with depression show increased activation in the anterior cingulate region when anticipating reward, indicating a conflict between processing rewards and punishments. This finding suggests that depression may not be solely the absence of pleasure, but rather an experience of emotional pain or fr...
A study published in Diabetes Research & Clinical Practice found that people with depression taking antidepressants have a 30% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The risk was highest for those using two types of therapies simultaneously, such as tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Researchers investigated how inheriting different combinations of gene variants impact depression risk in normal subjects. They found that the SLC6A4 serotonin transporter gene interacts with the BDNF gene to regulate emotion regulation system development, revealing individual genes are not isolated risks.
Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago discovered a new biomarker for depression by analyzing the location of a protein in the brain. The study found that depressed individuals have a greater proportion of Gs alpha protein confined to lipid rafts, which can be used to predict the efficacy of antidepressant therapy.
A new study found that depressed heart attack patients have a higher risk for sudden death in the months following a heart attack, and this risk continues for many years. The study of over 750 patients showed that even minor depression increases mortality risk.
A study of 20,627 people found that psychological distress, but not depression, was associated with an increased risk of stroke. Participants who reported lower mental well-being scores had a 11% higher risk of stroke, regardless of other factors.
A study of 3,987 older men found that those with low free testosterone levels had a higher prevalence of depression, with men in the lowest quintile having three times the odds of depression compared to those in the highest quintile. Researchers suggest that hormone imbalances may contribute to this link.
A study found that nearly 55% of teenagers with treatment-resistant depression showed improvement when switched to a different medication combined with cognitive behavioral therapy. The results suggest that clinicians should not hesitate to switch treatments, especially if an adolescent hasn't responded to initial treatment.
Research published in PLOS ONE found that the medial orbitofrontal cortex is highly specifically active within a seventh of a second in response to infant faces but not to adult faces. This finding has potentially important clinical application in relation to postnatal depression.
A recent study published in JAMA found that teenagers with difficult-to-treat depression who switched to another antidepressant medication and added psychotherapy showed significant improvement. The results suggest that a combination approach may be more effective than traditional treatment strategies for adolescents with treatment-res...
A study found that adolescents with ineffective depression medication saw improved symptoms when switching to a different antidepressant and adding cognitive behavioral therapy. The combination of treatments resulted in a higher rate of clinical response compared to changing medications alone.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at a higher risk of developing depression due to chronic pain and functional disability. Only one in five RA patients discuss their symptoms with their rheumatologists, highlighting the need for improved communication about mental health.
A University of Iowa study shows that poor women in Iowa are more likely to experience clinically significant postpartum depression than their wealthier counterparts. 40% of Iowa mothers with a household income less than $20,000 suffered from depression, compared to 13% of those with higher incomes.
Researchers found that patients with depression may not experience improvements in hopefulness until several weeks or months after their depressive symptoms lift. This delay can lead to reduced adherence to treatment, increasing the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
A study published in Journal of Clinical Nursing found that giving birth to a boy can lead to higher levels of severe post-natal depression (PND) and reduced quality of life than having a girl. Women who gave birth to boys reported lower quality of life scores, even without PND.
Researchers found that hostility and depression together elevate inflammatory proteins in the human body, increasing the risk for heart disease. The study examined associations with blood levels of two inflammatory proteins and found a stronger relationship between these negative emotions when considered simultaneously.
A team approach to treating depression in older adults reduces total healthcare costs, with patients receiving IMPACT care having lower average costs over a four-year period. The cost-effectiveness of the IMPACT model makes it an attractive option for health organizations, which have already implemented it to improve patient outcomes.
A new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers found that older women are more prone to depression and less likely to die from it compared to older men. The study, which evaluated 754 individuals aged 70+, found that women were more likely to experience symptoms of depression and remain depressed over time.
Research identifies genetic variations that shield adults from depression caused by childhood trauma. The study discovered that certain gene variations help regulate the response to stress, protecting against moderate to severe depression in adulthood.
A recent study found that adults who were abused in childhood and carried a specific gene variant showed lower measures of depression. The gene variant, corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor one (CRHR1), appears to protect against depression in adults who experienced moderate to severe child abuse.
A study found that older women are more likely to develop depression and remain depressed over time, whereas older men are less prone to this condition. This disparity contributes to the higher burden of depression among older women.
A study published in PLoS Computational Biology suggests that serotonin may contribute to depression and anxiety by disrupting reflexive avoidance behaviors. When serotonin levels drop, individuals lose their instinctual ability to avoid aversive events, leading to increased exploration of potentially harmful states.
A study of rheumatoid arthritis patients found that almost 11% experienced moderate to severe depression symptoms. Patients who were restricted in their activities were more likely to have these symptoms, and few discussed their condition with their rheumatologists.
Researchers found a consistent international pattern of depression and happiness levels, with middle age being the most miserable period, affecting both men and women across 80 nations. The U-shape in happiness levels and life satisfaction was observed in all countries studied.
Researchers at McGill University and Université de Montréal found that depression and anxiety can double a patient's chances of repeated heart ailments. Patients with coronary artery disease who had major depression or anxiety were more likely to experience cardiac events over two years.
Researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute found that concussed athletes with depression showed reduced brain activity in regions known to be implicated in depression. The study provides important clinical implications for treating individuals who have suffered a cerebral concussion and highlights the importance of early interv...
A recent study by Gerald Haeffel and colleagues found that genetic and environmental factors interact to increase the risk of depression in adolescents. The researchers discovered that boys with rejecting mothers and a specific form of the dopamine transporter gene were at higher risk for major depression and suicidal ideation.
The American College of Physicians has issued new guidelines to improve palliative care at the end of life, focusing on pain, shortness of breath, and depression. The guidelines recommend regular assessment and use of proven therapies to manage these symptoms, with a focus on improving quality of care for patients with serious illnesses.
A study found that bright light therapy can ease symptoms of bipolar depression in some patients, with optimal response observed at midday. Six out of nine women treated achieved full recovery from depressive symptoms, highlighting the potential of light therapy as an augmentation strategy for improving treatment response.
A large study found that depression significantly worsens HIV treatment adherence and clinical measures, but antidepressant medication can improve outcomes. Depressed patients had lower adherence rates and worse viral therapy responses compared to non-depressed patients.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center are conducting a five-year study to test the safety and effectiveness of docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) as treatments for major depressive disorder. The study aims to determine whether these two omega-3 fatty acids can help alleviate symptoms of depression in adults.
A Canadian study found that one-third of veterans who were deployed more than once experienced probable clinical depression, while 30% of those deployed only once were affected. The research also revealed that younger, single soldiers and those with multiple deployments were more likely to have PTSD and severe symptoms.
The PREVENT study found that nearly 80% of patients with recurrent major depressive disorder achieved an adequate therapeutic response to venlafaxine extended-release or fluoxetine, with almost none relapsing after 6 months. The results suggest a subgroup of depressed patients may benefit from early and sustained treatment.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry suggests that erythropoietin, a natural human hormone, may have antidepressant properties. The study found that erythropoietin regulated emotional responses and had neuroprotective effects on neural function, supporting its potential as a treatment strategy for depression.