Study reveals how depression impacts stress systems and reduces lifespan by up to 10 years

A new study highlights how depression disrupts the body's stress systems, leading to serious health risks like heart disease and diabetes, and reducing life expectancy by 7-10 years. It reveals a 40% decrease in the volume of the subgenual prefrontal cortex in depressed individuals. The research distinguishes between depression subtypes, noting that melancholic depression shows increased stress activation, while atypical depression has lower hormone levels. This suggests the need for personalized treatment approaches targeting neuroendocrine dysfunction. The findings open avenues for innovative therapies, including hormone receptor modulators and CRH antagonists, which may improve treatment outcomes for depression. The study was published in the journal Brain Medicine on November 14, 2024.