Untreated depression has neurodegenerative effects

Untreated depression, which becomes chronic and accompanies us for years like that ashy shadow that opaques everything, ends up leaving a mark on our brain. Recent studies tell us that The alteration generated by this psychological condition influences structures such as the prefrontal cortex, affecting our ability to make decisions, solve problems, reflect, etc.

Neuroinflammation, less oxygen supply reaching the brain, changes in the production of neurotransmitters… The processes that accompany different disorders, such as major depression, can reduce the functionality of many of our brain structures, leading to a neurodegenerative process. .

Now, these changes will begin to be evident if a patient carries this psychological problem with them between 9 and 12 months.

Now, knowing this, the questions we can think about are the following: Why don’t we treat our depressions? What makes a person not seek professional help to treat their suffering? It should be noted that there is no single answer to these questions. In reality, sometimes we fail to accurately define the complexity of this mood disorder.

There are those who think that it will never get better. Their own illness acts as a shield and prevents them from having the opportunity to ask for help. Other people are resistant to treatment. Likewise, there are also those who maintain wrong ideas about psychological therapy, who do not trust or even those who do not dare to assume that they have a problem.

On the other hand, Nor can we overlook those who lack resources and also social support to request support. Living with an untreated psychological disorder is sadly common, and the effects of this reality are often immense.

Untreated depression, what consequences does it have?

Most of us know what depression is.. Either because we suffered it in the past or currently, or because someone close to us has gone through that universe that is so exhausting at all levels. We know its emotional effects, physical and even social implications. Now, what a large part of the population may not know is the effect it has on our brain.

In an interesting study carried out by Dr. Victor H. Perry, professor of neuropathology at the University of Southampton, United Kingdom, he tells us about this striking and important fact. It has been shown that People with major depression have a higher risk of continuing this condition for a long time. Relapses are frequent, so we can have patients who have been dealing with this type of severe reality for decades.

Untreated depression or depression that has a persistent effect has a neurodegenerative effect. Let’s see more data below.

Various brain regions reduce their size

In a study carried out by Dr. Dilara Yüksel, from Istanbul University, it was possible to demonstrate the alteration that major depression generates at the brain level over 3 years if it is not treated (or if it does not react to treatment). The most striking consequence is the reduction in the size of various structures like the following:

The frontal cortex. The cerebral thalamus. The hippocampus. The amygdala.

These areas are directly linked to our memory, the processing of our emotions and executive functions. (problem solving, attention, planning, ability to respond to the environment, etc.).

C-reactive protein and inflammation

Untreated depression in turn has a biological effect: neuroinflammation increases. Dr. Jeff Meyer, from the Center for Mental Health at the University of Toronto, in Canada, conducted research with 80 participants over 10 years. Half of them suffered from major depressive disorder, but had never received treatment. The objective was to know what effect this had on the brain.

Something he could see was a greater accumulation of C-reactive protein in the aforementioned brain areas: frontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala…What this type of protein generates is an inflammatory effect, something that undoubtedly opens the possibility of trying other types of pharmacological treatments. for these types of very specific cases.

Reduction of oxygen reaching the brain

This data is undoubtedly striking. Work with that carried out by the doctor’s team Tomohiko Shibata at the University of Tokyo, show us that mood disorders, such as untreated depression, result in mild hypoxia. That is, a psychological condition such as major depression sustained over time results in lower brain oxygenation.

Something like this generates greater fatigue, confusion, concentration problems, migraines… The effect is evident and that is why hyperbaric oxygen chambers are already being used to relieve symptoms.

To conclude, as we can see, major depression can undoubtedly have a highly harmful effect on our brain health. The impact of the disease itself ends up altering the functionality of our brain and this undoubtedly makes the discomfort worse and adds cognitive problems and even greater resistance to treatments.

Now, in recent years new techniques are appearing. It has been seen, for example, that transcranial magnetic stimulation (non-electroconvulsive) significantly improves the well-being of these patients. Thus, magnetic pulses directed towards these problem areas improve biochemistry and connectivity. According to experts, it is like ‘resetting’ the brain. We will therefore be attentive to these new and hopeful advances.

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