Depression that remains untreated for long periods, leads to brain inflammation, new research published in the Lancet Psychiatry has shown. CONSEQUENCESThey used brain imaging to map brain changes following years of persistent depression and found that when depression remains untreated for periods lasting more than a decade, it leads to brain inflammation. RESEARCHTSPO levels were about 30 per cent higher in different brain regions in patients with prolonged and untreated depression, compared to those with shorter periods of untreated depression. The brain changes indicate that persistent depression is a progressive, rather than a static disease, and that prolonged depression may need different treatment regimens at different stages of the illness. The research team is investigating treatment options for this later stage of illness, such as using medication targeting brain inflammation.

Source: Daily Nation April 23, 2018 18:11 UTC