New study shows brain circuit disruption mimics antidepressant effects

New study shows brain circuit disruption mimics antidepressant effects

New research published in Psychopharmacology has found that damaging a specific brain region called the nucleus reuniens reduces depression-like behavior in both male and female rats. The study also showed that male and female brains respond differently to antidepressant treatments and brain circuit changes, highlighting the importance of considering sex as a biological factor in mental health research. Depression is one of the most disabling he…

Targeted Brain Circuit Disruption Reduces Depression-Like Behavior in Rats and Reveals Sex-Based Differences in Antidepressant Response - Gilmore Health News

Key Takeaways: A brain circuit tied to stress shows antidepressant-like effects when disrupted in rats. Male and female rats responded differently to antidepressants and brain changes. Sex-specific brain activity may influence how depression is treated. Findings are early-stage and based on animal research, not humans. Depression, a debilitating mental health condition, affects approximately 280 million people globally and is about 50% more comm…