According to a global interdisciplinary study, long-term depression shrinks the human brain. Specifically, the part responsible for emotions and memory, possibly leading to a change in a person’s behaviour and even a loss of their identity.
The latest study comes as a definitive answer following decades of unconfirmed theorising. Some shrinkage of the brain has previously been connected with depression but lacked clear, corresponding evidence. As RT reports, variances in the different types of depression, along with differing treatment methods and sample sizes have resulted in inconsistent results.
The international survey brought together 15 research institutes from the US, UK, and Australia, and is the largest survey of its kind to date. The results were formed by combining smaller studies, which in turn revealed that repeated depression shrinks the brain's emotional centre. The hippocampus, located under the brain's cerebral cortex, is the part of the brain which deals with emotional responses, memory and, in part, balance.
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The latest study comes as a definitive answer following decades of unconfirmed theorising. Some shrinkage of the brain has previously been connected with depression but lacked clear, corresponding evidence. As RT reports, variances in the different types of depression, along with differing treatment methods and sample sizes have resulted in inconsistent results.
The international survey brought together 15 research institutes from the US, UK, and Australia, and is the largest survey of its kind to date. The results were formed by combining smaller studies, which in turn revealed that repeated depression shrinks the brain's emotional centre. The hippocampus, located under the brain's cerebral cortex, is the part of the brain which deals with emotional responses, memory and, in part, balance.
Continue reading…
Continue reading...