Depression

Researchers discovered that tabernanthalog, a non-hallucinogenic analog of psychedelic drugs, can stimulate cortical neuron growth and improve depression-related behavior in mice. The study suggests these effects occur without the gene activity or neurotransmitter surges typically linked to classic psychedelics.

Using ultra-high-field MRI, researchers in Germany report that people with major depressive disorder tend to have reduced thickness of the parahippocampal cortex, a brain region involved in memory and emotion. Thinner tissue was also linked to higher levels of neuroticism.

For those struggling with depression, a new treatment tailored to an individual’s brain anatomy offers fresh hope. A recent UCLA study found personalized, noninvasive brain stimulation significantly reduced symptoms in under two weeks, outperforming a placebo and demonstrating fast-acting potential.

Researchers continue to explore how ketamine brings about fast-acting relief for people with depression. In a new experiment, scientists tested how brain activity changes under different conditions, shedding light on the complex pathways involved in the treatment response.

A treatment for depression involving just two doses of psilocybin may have effects that last for years. A new follow-up study found that two-thirds of participants were still in remission five years after their therapy, pointing to its potential durability.

A small pilot study found that a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin led to lasting reductions in depression symptoms among U.S. military veterans with treatment-resistant depression. Half were in remission after six months; 30% remained in remission at one...

A new brain imaging study suggests deep brain stimulation may rewire key emotional circuits in people with severe depression, offering insight into how the treatment affects the amygdala, insula, and prefrontal cortex over both short and long time periods.

New research suggests that group singing may help protect older adults from depression and anxiety. In a randomized trial, choral singing was as effective as a health education program in reducing the risk of affective disorders over a two-year period.

People with depressive symptoms scored lower on thinking and memory tests, but those who exercised, slept well, and had healthy habits tended to think more clearly, even if they were also experiencing depression.

Cancer patients with major depression experienced significant and long-lasting improvements after just one psilocybin session, according to new research. Two years later, many showed continued reductions in depression and anxiety, with some requiring no further treatment or medication.

A new study challenges previous claims that antidepressant withdrawal is rare or mild. Researchers found that more than half of patients report symptoms when discontinuing, suggesting earlier reviews relying on short-term trials may have underestimated the risks.

A new clinical trial suggests that esketamine nasal spray, used alone without oral antidepressants, may reduce depressive symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The fast-acting treatment showed benefits within 24 hours and sustained effects over four weeks.

New research links an elevated C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio—a blood marker reflecting inflammation and nutrition status—to higher odds of depression. The findings raise the possibility that this widely available biomarker could play a role in mental health screening.

A year-long study suggests vortioxetine may offer greater improvements in both cognition and mood for people with Alzheimer’s disease and depression compared to other antidepressants, potentially making it a promising treatment option alongside standard Alzheimer’s therapies.

Neuroscientists used rare intracranial recordings to trace how moment-to-moment brain activity in the prefrontal cortex reflects daily mood changes. They found that depression worsens as cortical communication becomes disinhibited and hemispheric activity grows increasingly imbalanced.