Major Depressive Disorder News and Research

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Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by depressed mood or anhedonia (significant loss of interest or pleasure). The condition affects more than 15.7 million adults and approximately 3 million adolescents (aged 13 to 17 years) in the USA each year.

Study: Wisdom and loneliness can influence the gut microbial diversity

It may take guts — or more precisely, a diverse gut microbiome — to achieve wisdom and fend off loneliness. Or perhaps it’s the other way around, report UC San Diego researchers.

26 Mar 2021

Genetic study identifies sex-dependent differences in major psychiatric disorders

An analysis of sex differences in the genetics of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorders indicates that while there is substantial genetic overlap between males and females, there are noticeable sex-dependent differences in how genes related to the central nervous system, immune system, and blood vessels affect people with these disorders.

23 Mar 2021

FAIR Health study highlights the impact of COVID-19 on pediatric mental health

In March and April 2020, mental health claim lines for individuals aged 13-18, as a percentage of all medical claim lines, approximately doubled over the same months in the previous year.

2 Mar 2021

New California law makes it easier to get care for mental health and substance abuse

Karen Bailey's 20-year-old daughter has struggled with depression and anxiety for years. Since 2017, she's been in three intensive group therapy programs and, each time, the family's insurer cut her coverage short, says Bailey.

26 Feb 2021

New center established at NYU Langone Health to expand psychedelic research and training

Philanthropic support from several donors totaling over $10 million will allow NYU Langone Health to advance its already world-renowned reputation in the field of psychedelic medicine through the establishment of a one-of-a-kind center dedicated to expanding research and professional medical training in this resurging field.

24 Feb 2021

Traumatic or stressful events in childhood may lead to changes in key brain structures

A new study from University of Alberta researchers has shown that traumatic or stressful events in childhood may lead to tiny changes in key brain structures that can now be identified decades later.

9 Feb 2021

Differences in gene readouts may shed light on mental disorders

A new study suggests that differences in the expression of gene transcripts - readouts copied from DNA that help maintain and build our cells - may hold the key to understanding how mental disorders with shared genetic risk factors result in different patterns of onset, symptoms, course of illness, and treatment responses

8 Feb 2021

Sequential approach to treating comorbid PTSD and depression

This study is the first randomized control trial to rigorously test a sequential approach to treating comorbid PTSD and major depressive disorder.

4 Feb 2021

Metabolites may be predictive indicators of patients at risk for recurrent major depression

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, in collaboration with Dutch scientists, have found that certain metabolites -; small molecules produced by the process of metabolism -; may be predictive indicators for persons at risk for recurrent major depressive disorder.

12 Jan 2021

Targeted brain stimulation dulls social pain

A new study demonstrates that targeted brain stimulation is effective at dulling social pain.

18 Dec 2020

Newly discovered brain pattern could improve the diagnosis of mental health disorders

A pattern in how the brain breaks down tryptophan, a common amino acid consumed through food, was discovered by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

18 Dec 2020

4E-BP proteins are key to unlock the antidepressant effect of ketamine in the brain

A group of proteins called 4E-BPs, involved in memory formation, is the key to unlocking the antidepressant effect of ketamine in the brain, according to researchers from three Canadian universities. The discovery could lead to better and safer treatments for certain patients suffering from major depression.

17 Dec 2020

Landmark heart study reveals new insights about risk factors for depression

Recently published UT Southwestern research reveals new insights about risk factors for depression based on data from a landmark longitudinal study focused on heart disease.

14 Dec 2020

New framework proposed for eliminating defects in behavioral health treatment

A new paper from the Department of Psychiatry and the Population Health program at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, proposes a framework for eliminating defects in behavioral health treatment.

24 Nov 2020

New legal push aims to speed magic mushrooms to dying patients

Back in March, just as anxiety over COVID-19 began spreading across the U.S., Erinn Baldeschwiler of La Conner, Washington, found herself facing her own private dread.

24 Nov 2020

Study uses non-invasive technique to help veterans with depression, concussion

Studies using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive technique, to help veterans and active-duty service members living with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other lasting consequences of concussion have shown promise.

6 Nov 2020

Psilocybin may be effective in patients suffering from major depression

In a small study of adults with major depression, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers report that two doses of the psychedelic substance psilocybin, given with supportive psychotherapy, produced rapid and large reductions in depressive symptoms, with most participants showing improvement and half of study participants achieving remission through the four-week follow-up.

4 Nov 2020

Study examines mental health indicators during the 2016 general election

Whether a Trump triumph or a Biden victory, millions of Americans may expect a decline in their mental health if they live in states that favor the losing candidate.

3 Nov 2020

Brain imaging biomarker may help predict treatment response in patients with psychiatric disorders, study reveals

Cohen Veterans Bioscience, a non-profit research biotech advancing brain health solutions, today announces findings from a study which generates new evidence in support of a critical brain imaging biomarker, that may help guide people who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or major depressive disorder towards the most effective treatment.

21 Oct 2020

Weighted blanket intervention reduces insomnia severity

Weighted blankets are a safe and effective intervention in the treatment of insomnia, according to Swedish researchers who found that insomnia patients with psychiatric disorders experienced reduced insomnia severity, improved sleep and less daytime sleepiness when sleeping with a weighted chain blanket.

23 Sep 2020