Chronic Depression Shrinks Brain, Study Finds

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According to a study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, chronic or recurring depression can effect the physical nature of the brain, particularly the hippocampus, which is in charge of new memories.

Researchers of the study discovered that long-term depression can actually alter the size of the hippocampus found in the brain, making it much smaller, Focus News reports. The small size of the hippocampus has also been linked to recurring depression.

For the study, researchers analyzed 15 data sets from Europe, the United States, and Australia, reports Health Central. Australian researchers also studied the brain scans from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of around 9,000 participants.

Of the 9,000 patients observed in the study, 1,728 were diagnosed with major depression, while 7,199 were considered healthy in terms of mental illness. The researchers were given access to the personal clinical records of those who had severe depression as well, states Health Central.

According to the data, 65 percent of the participants who had major depression were more likely to have multiple depressive episodes during their lifetime, notes Focus News.

The researchers also found that the participants who had depression during their teen years had a smaller hippocampus compared to those who had just been diagnosed with the mental illness.

Moreover, patients suffering with depression before the age of 21 had an increased risk of recurrent depression in adulthood.

According to the researchers, one out of six people suffer from major depression at least once in their lives, reports Financial Express. They add that the mood disorder can disrupt daily life for weeks or even years. 

Due to the results of the study, researchers emphasize the importance of early treatment for teens who have been diagnosed with depression.

"This large study confirms the need to treat first episodes of depression effectively, particularly in teenagers and young adults, to prevent the brain changes that accompany recurrent depression," said Professor Ian Hickie, co-director of the Brain and Mind Research Institute.

Both Hickie and the study recommend alternative methods of treatment for depression in young people like social interventions or psychotherapy.

"Treating depression effectively does not just mean medicines," said Hickie.

The findings of the research also supports the neurotrophic hypothesis, said Jim Lagopoulos, an associate professor from the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind research Institute. The neurotrophic hypothesis is the belief that chronic depression can effect the brain's physical structure or biology.