Structural Changes in Brain Revealed in Cases of Depression
JuBrain digital brain atlas makes differences visible
Jülich, 17 December 2015 – Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders. It represents a great challenge not only for patients and their families but also for social systems. The illness can be due to a wide range of causes. Several factors such as genetic predisposition, hormonal imbalances, and stressful experiences frequently coincide. An ongoing study by Jülich neuroscientists now reveals that the illness can be identified organically by changes in the brain. Dr. Sebastian Bludau and Prof. Simon Eickhoff determined for the first time that in the case of patients suffering from depression the grey matter in the medial frontal pole is reduced. Their findings have been published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.