Depression and chronic stress cause loss of brain volume

The research team analysed tissue of depressed and non-depressed patients and looked for different patterns of gene activation. The brains of patients who had been depressed exhibited lower levels of expression in genes that are required for the function and structure of brain synapses.

Researchers found that that - under similar conditions - rodents exhibited depressive-like symptoms, suggesting that a single transcription factor called GATA1 plays a role not only in the loss of connections between neurons but also in symptoms of depression. Researchers hope this may one day assist in identifying people at high risk for major depression or sensitivity to stress, Health24 says.

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