Researchers at McGill University and the Douglas Institute have identified key brain cells altered in individuals with depression. This discovery paves the way for novel treatments and deepens our understanding of this pervasive mental health condition.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers from McGill University and the Douglas Institute have pinpointed specific types of brain cells that are altered in individuals suffering from depression, a condition that affects over 264 million people worldwide.
The study, published in the journal Nature Genetics, offers significant insights that could lead to the development of targeted treatments for depression.
“This is the first time we’ve been able to identify what specific brain cell types are affected in depression by mapping gene activity together with mechanisms that regulate the DNA code,” senior author Gustavo Turecki, a professor at McGill, clinician-scientist at the Douglas Institute, and Canada Research Chair in Major Depressive Disorder and Suicide, said in a news release. “It gives us a much clearer picture of where disruptions are happening, and which cells are involved.”
This pioneering research was made possible through the use of post-mortem brain tissue from the Douglas-Bell Canada Brain Bank, one of the few collections globally that includes tissue from individuals with psychiatric conditions.
Using advanced single-cell genomic techniques, the team analyzed RNA and DNA from thousands of brain cells, identifying specific cells that behaved differently in depressed individuals compared to those without depression.
The study examined samples from 59 individuals diagnosed with depression and 41 without the condition.
The results highlighted altered gene activity in a type of excitatory neuron involved in mood and stress regulation, as well as in a subtype of microglia cells, which play a critical role in managing inflammation.
These disruptions suggest significant changes in key brain systems in those affected by depression.
By clarifying which brain cells are affected in depression, the study not only advances our understanding of the biological basis of the disorder but also challenges lingering misconceptions that depression is purely emotional.
“This research reinforces what neuroscience has been telling us for years,” Turecki added. “Depression isn’t just emotional, it reflects real, measurable changes in the brain.”
Looking forward, the researchers plan to investigate how these cellular changes impact brain function and whether targeting these alterations could lead to more effective therapies.
Source: McGill University