Many Years Young: Chronic stress Linked to Depression

(Bloomberg) Chronic stress appears to block a gene that guards against brain atrophy associated with depression, according to a study in rats that may help guide new treatments for mood disorders.

The gene, called neuritin, appears to be responsible for keeping healthy neuron connections in certain parts of the brain, according to the study? Rats whose genes were suppressed were more anxious and depressed than those whose genes weren?t, an experiment found. Further, activating the gene led to an antidepressant response. The research adds evidence to the idea that depression may be caused by?atrophy in the hippocampus,?the part of the brain responsible for mood and memory? ?This is based on findings that basically stress and depression have been shown to cause atrophy,? said?Ronald Duman,?a study author

[Click the title, above, to post a comment.]

Source: http://www.manyyearsyoung.com/2012/06/chronic-stress-linked-to-depression.html

uc davis pepper spray usc oregon big game jeremy london jeremy london butterball turkey fryer butterball turkey fryer