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Possible Link Discovered for Indicating Risks for Depression

by Karen Hatter | March 31, 2009 at 10:49 am

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Research headed by Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons has led to findings that suggest that thinning of the brain's cortex, in the right hemisphere of the brain, may be linked to hereditary or a " .... familial form of depression." The cortex is the outermost layer of the brain.

Individuals ages 6 through 54 years were followed for 25 years, with the study subjects being from families with and without a history of depression.

A 28% thinner cortex in subjects with family histories of depression was compared with those without the family history.

Mirror Resonance Imaging (MRI) images revealed structural differences between the brains of the offspring of depressed individuals that were not found in the offspring in families without mental illness.

Click here to read the Medical News Today article.

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Amy Judd

at 13:31 on March 31st, 2009

Interesting - I wonder if there will be a screening plan in place to check for this before signs appear?

Karen Hatter

at 14:15 on March 31st, 2009

Thanks, Amy.

It would seem if case histories are given and it is known that the family has a history of depression, the scan may help identify the anomaly.

If scans are able to measure smaller ratios of thinning and if it is determined that the thinning is possibly representative of varying degrees of depression, that presumably would be useful.

Given the small study group, less than 200, it may be additional study is required.

mtammas

at 19:41 on March 31st, 2009

Depression is a truly 'holistic' disease that may be a complex mix of genetic connections, environmental influences, psychological factors, physiological components and much, much more.

Anything that sheds light on this perplexing, debilitating mental illness is welcome.

Thank you for the posting.