Clipmarks | dmegivern's 'depression' clips

Can Depression Change Your DNA?

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:42:18 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern

Can Depression Change Your DNA?

New research points to significant modifications of an important gene that suggests depression may play a role in changing the very makeup of the brain.

Researchers at the Robarts Research Institute at The University of Western Ontario compared the brains of people who committed suicide with those who died suddenly of natural causes, such as a heart attack. They found that the genome in suicidal, depressed people was chemically modified by a process that is normally involved in regulating the essential characteristics of all cells in the body.

This is apparently the first study to show that proteins that modify DNA directly are more highly expressed in the brains of people who commit suicide. These proteins are involved in chemically modifying DNA in a process called epigenomic regulation.

The rate of methylation in the suicide brains was found to be much greater than that of the control group.

Tags: mental illness, genetics, epigenetics, depression

Genes Influence Whether Antidepressants Work

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:47:10 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Genes Influence Antidepressant Effectiveness

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Wednesday, Jul 16 (Psych Central) -- A new study suggests variations in the serotonin transporter gene could explain why some people with depression respond better than others to treatment with citalopram (Celexa), an antidepressant medication.

Researchers examined the serotonin transporter gene, or SLC6A4, in 1,914 study participants. The study showed that two variations in this gene have a direct bearing on how individuals might respond to citalopram. SLC6A4 produces a protein that plays an important role in achieving an antidepressant response.

Pharmacogenetics, the study of how people’s genetic makeup affects their response to medications, could improve patient outcomes by matching patients with the right drug from the start rather than endure the arduous process of trial and error.

Tags: depression, medication, genetics

State Suicide Rates are Linked to MH Services

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:08:23 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern

Clip Source: www.mentalhealthamerica.net

Lost productive time among U.S. workers due to depression is estimated to be in excess of $31 billion per year. Depression frequently co-occurs with a variety of medical illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and chronic pain and is associated with poorer health status and prognosis. It is also the principal cause of the 30,000 suicides in the U.S. each year. In 2004, suicide was the 11^th leading cause of death in the United States, third among individuals 15-24.

Download the full report (PDF)

The four measures were: (1) the percentage of the adult population experiencing at least one major depressive episode in the past year, (2) the percentage of the adolescent population (ages 12 to 17) experiencing at least one major depressive episode in the past year, (3) the percentage of the adult population experiencing serious psychological distress, and (4) the average number of days in the past 30 days in which the population reported that their mental health was not good.

Tags: suicide, mental illness, depression, states

No Surprise...Overtime Linked to Anxiety/Depression

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:44:43 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern
clipper's remarks: Sigh, don't I know it.

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Overtime Work Linked to Anxiety and Depression

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Working overtime was associated with higher anxiety and depression scores among both men and women. The rate of questionnaire scores indicating “possible” depression increased from about nine percent for men with normal work hours to 12.5 percent for those who worked overtime.

For women, the rate of possible depression increased from seven to eleven percent. In both sexes, rates of possible anxiety and depression were higher among workers with lower incomes and for less-skilled workers.

The new results support this directive by showing increased rates of anxiety and depression among overtime workers. Men working more than 48 hours per week are at highest risk, although the authors note that working even moderate overtime hours seems to increase the risk of “mental distress.”

Tags: overworked, depression, anxiety

The Diabetes and Depression Link

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:34:11 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Increased Risk of Depression for Diabetics

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

New research discovers individuals with treated type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for developing depression, while a more modest association was found between persons with depression and the risk of diabetes.

These associations may be related to increased risk of depressive symptoms in individuals with diabetes, increased risk of type 2 diabetes in individuals with depressive symptoms, or both. It is unclear whether type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for increased symptoms of depression.

“Our findings of an association in participants with treated but not untreated type 2 diabetes suggests that the psychological stress associated with diabetes management may lead to elevated depressive symptoms,” the authors write.

“… the present study contributes to a growing body of literature indicating a bidirectional association between these 2 serious long-term diseases.

Tags: health, diabetes, depression

Depression in Young Adults and Substance Abuse

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:50:15 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern

Clip Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com

Depressed Young Adults More Likely To Start Cigarette Smoking And Other Substance Use

A new report indicates that young adults who have suffered from depression within the past year are at a higher risk of initiating substance use including cigarette smoking and use of alcohol or illicit drugs. The findings, based on the largest national survey on substance use and health, were reported today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the source for this report, defines a major depressive episode as a period of two weeks or longer during which there is depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure and the presence of at least four other symptoms that reflect a change in functioning. These include problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration and self-image. This definition is consistent with the one used by the American Psychiatric Association.

Tags: mental.health, drugs, alcohol, young, depression

Serotonin is not a Main Factor or Cause of Depression

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 22:17:21 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern
clipper's remarks: Interesting article on serotonin and depression with a critique of the Big Pharma industry

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Is Serotonin the Main Factor or Cause of Depression?

by John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
October 31, 2007

No, it’s not.

Pharmaceutical companies have done a bang-up job over the past two decades in promoting the serotonin theory of depression — namely that people who are depressed suffer from an “imbalance” in their serotonin levels which certain antidepressants can fix. This is such a simple explanation that most people can readily understand it, and therefore it became quite popular.

However, within a few years of it being promoted, it was also debunked in the scientific literature. Since most consumers don’t read the scientific literature and it’s not very interesting health news to say that serotonin isn’t the cause of depression, most people don’t realize this theory is no longer considered valid amongst researchers.

Tags: mental.health, depression, serotonin

THC-based Antidepressants Have Interesting Effects

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:37:33 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern
clipper's remarks: Low doses of THC help somewhat with depression, but higher doses actually contribute to depression.

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Mixed Results With THC Antidepressants

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

A new study has found that a synthetic form of THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, is an effective anti-depressant at low doses.

However, at higher doses, the effect reverses itself and can actually worsen depression and other psychiatric conditions like psychosis.

The study is published in The Journal of Neuroscience.

Scientists have been known for many years that depletion of the brain neurotransmitter serotonin, leads to depression.

The anti-depressant and intoxicating effects of cannabis are due to its chemical similarity to natural substances in the brain known as “endo-cannabinoids,” which are released under conditions of high stress or pain, explained Dr. Gobbi.

“We know that it’s entirely possible to produce drugs which will enhance endo-cannabinoids for the treatment of pain, depression and anxiety,” she said.

Tags: thc, marijuana, therapy, treatment, depression

More Connections Between Sleep and Mental Health

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 23:41:23 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern
clipper's remarks: Get enough sleep or your brain might become depressed.

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

Sleep Loss Challenges Emotional Control

Clip Source: psychcentral.com

In the first neural investigation into what happens to the emotional brain without sleep, results from a brain imaging study suggest that while a good night’s rest can regulate your mood and help you cope with the next day’s emotional challenges, sleep deprivation does the opposite by excessively boosting the part of the brain most closely connected to depression, anxiety and other psychiatric disorders.

Clinical evidence has shown that some form of sleep disruption is present in almost all psychiatric disorders.

Walker and his team found that the amygdala, which is also a key to processing emotions, became hyperactive in response to negative visual stimuli - mutilated bodies, children with tumors and other gory images - in study participants who stayed awake for 35 hours straight. Conversely, brain scans of those who got a full night’s sleep in their own beds showed normal activity in the amygdala.

Tags: sleep, mental.illness, deprivation, depression, brain, research

Scared Away from Meds, Risking Suicide

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:23:43 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern
clipper's remarks: There is such a thing as being too depressed to commit suicide. Antidepressants like SSRIs were linked to increased suicide in young people, but my observation is that they became just energetic enough following treatment to attempt suicide. The drugs were not to blame so much as the process of climbing back out of dangerous levels of depression.

Clip Source: www.mentalhealthamerica.net

New Studies Show Dramatic Increase in Youth Suicide Rates and Effects of Antidepressant Warnings

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (September 6, 2007) - Two reports released today reveal significant increases in youth suicide rates between 2003 and 2004 following a steady decline since the early 1990's.

Increases in both populations coincide with a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated label warning parents about the risk of suicidal thoughts in children taking SSRI antidepressants, which sparked widespread media coverage and contributed to an approximately 22% decrease in antidepressant prescriptions for youth up to age 19. In contrast, the rate of SSRI prescriptions for older adults continued to increase following the FDA warnings and the suicide rate continued to decrease in the older adult population. All of these findings are consistent with other research that demonstrates an association between SSRI prescription rates and decreasing rates of suicide.

Tags: depression, mental health