Brain Pathway for Depression Located in Rat Study
Up until now, understanding the exact mechanism of depression causation has been confusing. Scientists have identified many different possible causes and the treatments for depression have several different modes of action. Stanford University researchers, however, have identified a possible factor that could unite all these divergent causes and treatments. In a July 6 press release from Stanford University School of Medicine, new research was unveiled which shows that the different mechanisms of cause and treatment all appear to go through a single brain circuit.
Working from the hypothesis that the brain is essentially a complex electrical circuit, Karl Deisseroth's team developed a technique called voltage-sensitive dye imaging to test out their theory. This technique allows intact brain circuits to be viewed in real time, enabling the researchers to watch living neurons in action, across entire brain networks.
Using slices of tissue from the hippocampus, an area that has been implicated in depression, they were able to map the electrical activity flow through the brain.
Since targeting this common pathway could be most efficient way to treat depression, it may be the basis for new treatments in the future.
Their findings were published July 5th in Science Express, the advance online publication of the journal Science.
Comments
As one who suffers from depression, I’m always fascinated with and avidly read up on all the studies researchers have done and the bioscientific advances that have been made in the field of brain study, mental illness, and in particular depression. While Freud’s psychodynamic theories may have been a revolutionary advance in his time, it seems much of mental illness is biological. Keep up the good work of finding and posting these studies for us, Nancy, and thank you!
Peter