Researchers might have found a new way to diagnose and treat major depression early. This could help many patients recover faster.
Scientists from the University of Queensland and the University of Minnesota looked at levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the brains and blood cells of young people with depression. ATP is often called the "energy currency" of cells.
Energy Problems in Brain Cells
Associate Professor Susannah Tye from UQ's Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) said this is the first time researchers have seen these energy-related patterns in both the brain and blood of young people with major depressive disorder (MDD).
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Start Your News DetoxDr. Tye explained that depression symptoms might come from basic changes in how brain and blood cells use energy. Fatigue is a common and tough symptom of MDD. It can take years for people to find the right treatment.
She hopes this discovery could lead to earlier help and more specific treatments.
Brain Scans and Blood Samples Show Surprising Results
For the study, a team at the University of Minnesota collected brain scans and blood samples. They worked with 18 participants aged 18 to 25 who had MDD.
Researchers at the Queensland Brain Institute then studied these samples. They compared them to samples from people who did not have depression.
QBI researcher Dr. Roger Varela noted an unusual pattern in the cells of participants with depression. These cells made more energy molecules when resting. However, they struggled to produce more energy when under stress.
Dr. Varela suggested that cells might be overworking early in the illness. This could cause problems later on. He found this surprising, as one might expect lower energy production in people with depression.
He added that in early depression, the mitochondria in the brain and body might not handle high energy demands well. This could lead to low mood, less motivation, and slower thinking.
New Hope for Understanding and Treating Depression
Dr. Varela believes this research could also change how people view depression.
He said it shows many changes happen in the body, including the brain and blood. Depression affects energy at a cellular level.
He also noted that not all depression is the same. Each patient has different biology and is affected differently.
The researchers hope this work will lead to more specific and effective treatments.
The study was led by Dr. Katie Cullen from the University of Minnesota. Professors Xiao Hong Zhu and Wei Chen developed the imaging method used to measure ATP production in the brain.
Deep Dive & References Translational Psychiatry - Translational Psychiatry, 2024
