The Effects of Depression on Brain Activity

Most people understand depression in terms of moods and feelings. For the majority of people, it is about bad times and whether or not specific feelings are present. Depression is more than this, though.

Because major depressive illness impacts how a person feels, thinks, and acts, it can make it difficult for them to operate normally. More importantly, it affects the brain in a big way. Research now demonstrates the distinct disparities between a normal brain and a depressed brain. Continue reading to learn more about how depression affects the brain and how to treat it effectively.

How the Brain Processes Depression

The structure and function of the brain are affected by depression. Size changes, the actions of different neurotransmitters, and the way oxygen reaches the brain are all examples of these consequences. These are the primary cerebral impacts of depression.

Diminished Brain Size

Shrinkage is one of the brain abnormalities associated with depression. According to research ⁽¹⁾, individuals with depression have shrinkage in many brain areas as their gray matter volume decreases. There are many brain cells ⁽²⁾ in the gray matter volume, and their optimal functioning is impacted by their loss. The areas most impacted are:

• Hippocampal region. This area of the brain is in charge of memory and learning. It is also crucial for stress management ⁽³⁾. Memory loss and trouble focusing and completing activities are the outcomes of this region shrinking ⁽⁴⁾. Additionally, it makes one more prone to depression.
• Prefrontal cortex. These regulate mental processes. They are also in charge of emotional response and impulse control. Brain fogginess results from their shrinkage, which impairs higher order thinking, planning, and decision-making skills. Additionally, a person is impulsive and quickly upset.
• Thalamus. This component is in charge of transmitting data from the cortex, or outer layer, of the brain to the brain stem. Additionally, it controls waking, sleep, and alertness. An individual’s appetite, sleep patterns, and general well-being are all negatively impacted by its shrinking.

Inflammation of the Brain

The exact order in which brain inflammation and depression occur is unknown to experts. Nonetheless, there is a clear correlation between a person’s duration of depression and brain inflammation. Translocator protein levels are greater ⁽⁵⁾ in people who have experienced a severe depressive disorder episode. The substance is connected to inflammation in the brain, which results in a variety of neurological issues:

• Damages or destroys brain tissue.
• Speeds up the aging of the brain.
• Stops the development of new cells.
• Slows down brain activity in general, resulting in sluggish and unclear thinking.
• Reduces the activity of neurotransmitters.
• Reduces neuroplasticity, or the brain’s capacity to adapt as people age.

Brain Oxygen Levels Are Low

Hypoxia, or low oxygen levels in the body, is also associated with clinical depression. According to a 2013 study (published in “Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry,” June 2013), individuals with major depressive disorder ⁽⁶⁾ and bipolar disorder have higher-than-normal HIF-1 levels. The body makes a particular protein called HIF-1, or hypoxia-inducible factor-1, in reaction to hypoxia, which is the state in which the brain does not get enough oxygen.

A 2017 research (“Medicine”, July 2017) revealed an additional link between depression and decreased oxygen levels in the body, suggesting that hyperbaric oxygen chamber therapies that improve oxygen circulation may help alleviate depressive symptoms in people.

The brain is vulnerable to low oxygen levels; brain cells begin to die five minutes after oxygen deprivation. Additionally, it may result in inflammation and the detrimental effects it has on the brain. Confusion, such as that experienced by high-altitude climbers, can result from even brief hypoxia. Additionally, it may result in inattentiveness, momentary memory loss, poor judgment, and difficulty moving certain body parts. Seizures, coma, or even death may result from hypoxia in extreme situations.

Chemical Alterations in the Brain During Depression

Furthermore, the neurotransmitters that carry information between neurons and cells in the body might malfunction due to depression. Three categories of neurotransmitters exist:

• Excitatory
• Inhibitory
• Modulatory

Every bodily function is regulated by the more than 100 neurotransmitters that exist. An uncommon ⁽⁷⁾  imbalance between inhibitory and excitatory inhibitors may occur during depression, according to a 2017 research. Another 2018 study found ⁽⁸⁾  that low levels of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, are associated with anxiety and depression.

In addition, hyperconnectivity or hypoconnectivity in the frontal and parietal lobes of the brain is associated with the effects of depression on the brain. This is essential for maintaining focus and controlling emotions ⁽⁹⁾.

The following consequences may arise when depression interferes with the connectivity of brain networks:

• The inability to enjoy activities that one might typically find enjoyable is known as anhedonia.
• Rumination is the involuntary, ongoing recurrence of distressing thoughts and bad material from the past and now.
• Dysphoria is a generalized discontent with life.

How to Counteract the Brain’s Effects of Depression

The aspects of a person’s life that each region of the brain regulates are impacted by the changes that occur in those parts when they are depressed. Thankfully, the damage may be reversed and the brain rewired to normal  ⁽¹⁰⁾ functioning with early, successful therapy ⁽¹¹⁾. Medication, counseling, and adopting healthier lifestyle choices are all part of the treatment.

A 2016 study found that antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy can help restore the inflammation and chemical abnormalities in the brain brought on by depression. These could also aid in the brain’s ability to repair newly formed connections that were harmed during depressive episodes.

In order to help patients manage stresses and deal with the stigma associated with depression, cognitive and group therapy employ a variety of strategies. Among the most popular methods are:

• Building strong connections is facilitated by interpersonal therapy.
• Patients who get psychodynamic psychotherapy are more able to comprehend the reasons behind ⁽¹²⁾ their decisions.
• Schema-based treatment aids in altering negative patterns that were formed throughout childhood ⁽¹³⁾.

These techniques assist a person in determining which aspects of their life have contributed to ongoing stress. They also assist people in finding strategies to live a stress-free life and handle situations ⁽¹⁴⁾ with greater assurance, comfort, and foresight.

Regular exercise also offers major health advantages for controlling psychological symptoms and brain alterations that occur with depression. Among the advantages are:

• Lowering inflammation in the brain.
• Increasing circulatory activity, which gives the brain more oxygen.
• Enhancing the metabolism.
• Improving hippocampal structure and stimulating brain activity.

In conclusion

Depression has a profound effect on the way the brain works ⁽¹⁵⁾, altering everything from the size of certain areas to the neurotransmitters and oxygen delivery to the brain. Your capacity to carry out regular everyday tasks is jeopardized by these consequences, which also make you powerless to stop them from negatively impacting your relationships, ⁽¹⁶⁾ productivity, emotions, and more.

If left untreated, these brain alterations that can happen during depression might negatively affect your overall health ⁽¹⁷⁾ and brain function for a long time. Fortunately, these alterations may be reversed with early intervention and a mix of treatment modalities. To begin depression therapy as soon as possible, get in touch with qualified practitioners.