Brain Cells Behind Depression Identified
12 days ago
- #depression
- #genetics
- #neuroscience
- Researchers identified two specific brain cell types altered in depression: excitatory neurons regulating mood and stress, and microglia managing inflammation.
- The study used post-mortem brain tissue from the Douglas-Bell Canada Brain Bank, a rare resource with psychiatric condition donations.
- Single-cell genomic techniques revealed disrupted gene activity in these cells, highlighting measurable brain changes in depression.
- Findings challenge misconceptions by showing depression involves biological changes, not just emotional symptoms.
- The research opens pathways for precision treatments targeting specific cell types affected in depression.