Depressed Jane

Brain scientists have moved a step closer to understanding why some people may be more prone to depression than others. Dr Roland Zahn, a clinical neuroscientist in The University of Manchester’s School of Psychological Sciences, and his colleagues have identified how the brain links knowledge about social behaviour with moral sentiments, such as pride and guilt.

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Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered in mice that the brain must create new nerve cells for either exercise or antidepressants to reduce depression-like behavior. In addition, the researchers found that antidepressants and exercise use the same biochemical pathway to exert their effects. These results might help explain some unknown mechanisms of antidepressants and provide a new direction for developing drugs to treat depression, said Dr.

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The teenage years are a time of emotional highs and lows. So how do you distinguish normal teenage mood swings and rebellion from actual depression? The September 2008 issue of the Harvard Mental Health Letter highlights some ways to tell. Although depression can occur at any age, it affects teens more than younger children. Depressive symptoms may start appearing around age 13, and often peaks between 16 and 24.

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The news about antidepressant medications over the past several years has been mixed. The bad news from large multicenter studies such as STAR*D is that current antidepressant medications are effective, but not as effective as one might hope. Thus, there is a significant need for new treatment mechanisms for depression. On that front, there has been mixed news as well.

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A new study published in the August 15th issue of Biological Psychiatry finds that hippocampal neurogenesis (neuron birth in the hippocampus part of the brain) might be used by the monoaminergic antidepressants (related to the secretion of monoamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine

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A recent study found that suicidal thoughts among US college students is more common than might be expected, after more than half of 26,000 students surveyed at 70 colleges and universities reported having at least one episode of suicidal thinking at some point in their lives. 15 per cent of students also reported having seriously considered attempting suicide and more than 5 per cent said they had tried to commit suicide at least once.

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Actavis Group, the international generic pharmaceuticals company, announced that it has received approval from the US Food & Drug Administration to market Bupropion Hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) 300mg. Distribution of the product will commence immediately. Bupropion Hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL), available in 300mg strength, are the generic equivalent of Wellbutrin XL® for the treatment of major depressive disorder.

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People taking prescription antidepressants appear to drive worse than people who aren’t taking such drugs, and depressed people on antidepressants have even more trouble concentrating and reacting behind the wheel. These were the conclusions of a study released Sunday at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association. University of North Dakota psychologists Holly Dannewitz.

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A growing body of research suggests that there is a potent way to fight symptoms of depression that doesn’t involve getting a prescription. This potent weapon? Hope. “We’re finding that hope is consistently associated with fewer symptoms of depression. And the good news is that hope is something that can be taught, and can be developed in many of the people who need it,” said Jennifer Cheavens, assistant professor of psychology at Ohio State University.

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New research by Aberdeen scientists suggests that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) relates to an ancient timing mechanism in the brain dating back millions of years. Discoveries by a University of Aberdeen-led team, involving collaborators in Edinburgh and Strasbourg, and published in the latest issue of Current Biology, shed new insights into the mechanisms by which seasonal rhythms are generated.

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