Depression News and Research

Latest Depression News and Research

Work productivity declines for adults living with tinnitus symptoms

A new study has revealed the significant effect tinnitus can have on people's working lives, with nearly one in five adults reporting they have had to cut their working hours or leave employment altogether because of the condition.

10 Feb 2026

Choroid plexus enlargement in Long COVID signals cognitive risk

The increased size of, and lesser blood supply to, a key brain structure in patients with Long COVID tracks with known blood markers of Alzheimer's disease and greater levels of dementia, a new study finds.

10 Feb 2026

Research provide new insights into the brain mechanisms underlying juvenile fibromyalgia

Children and adolescents affected by juvenile fibromyalgia show greater sensitivity to non-painful sensory stimuli, such as sounds and bright lights.

9 Feb 2026

Intense exercise proves more effective for panic disorder treatment

Panic attacks are sudden bouts of intense fear without an obvious cause. An estimated 10% of people experience at least one panic attack in their lifetime.

9 Feb 2026

Most statin side effects are not backed by trials

Research indicates that many statin therapy side effects are not supported by evidence, suggesting a need for revised labeling to improve treatment decisions.

9 Feb 2026

Public health workers are quitting over assignments to Guantánamo

Rebekah Stewart, a nurse at the U.S. Public Health Service, got a call last April that brought her to tears. She had been selected for deployment to the Trump administration's new immigration detention operation at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

9 Feb 2026

Novel neuroprotective drug improves recovery after acute ischemic stroke

Stroke patients treated intravenously with loberamisal, a novel neuroprotective medication, daily for 10 days and starting within 48 hours of stroke symptoms, had better recovery than patients who received a placebo, according to a preliminary late-breaking science presentation at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

7 Feb 2026

High-dose motor therapy improves outcomes after perinatal stroke

In infants and toddlers who had a stroke before birth or as a newborn (28 days or younger), a treatment that combined restricting the use of the stronger arm with intensive task-oriented physical therapy led to improved function and skill gained on the weak side compared to standard care, according to preliminary late-breaking science presented today at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

7 Feb 2026

Electroacupuncture relieves pain-induced anxiety through prefrontal neural circuits

Neuropathic pain, caused by injury or disease of the somatosensory nervous system, is a major clinical challenge and often evolves into a chronic condition.

7 Feb 2026

Preoperative factors predict persistent opioid use after surgery

For many Americans, a routine surgical procedure serves as their first introduction to opioid pain medication.

5 Feb 2026

Brain connectivity fingerprints differ in major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating condition that affects more than 246 million people worldwide, yet scientists have struggled to identify consistent brain markers that could improve diagnosis and treatment.

5 Feb 2026

Hormonal contraceptives show differing heart risks among stressed women

Antonia Seligowski, PhD, of the Neurocardiac Effects of Stress & Trauma Laboratory within the Department of Psychiatry at Mass General Brigham, is the senior author of a paper published in JAMA Network Open, "Hormonal contraceptive use, stress disorders, and cardiovascular and thrombotic risk in women."

5 Feb 2026

How personality and social media support together relate to anxiety levels

Emotional support perceived through social media was statistically associated with lower anxiety among U.S. young adults, particularly females, in a large cross-sectional survey study. Personality traits, including openness, extraversion, agreeableness, and lower conscientiousness, predicted greater perceived online emotional support, although causal direction remains unclear.

5 Feb 2026

Large trials show statins rarely cause reported side effects

Cardiovascular disease results in around 20 million deaths worldwide and causes around a quarter of all deaths in the UK.

5 Feb 2026

Maternal perinatal depression linked to autistic traits in toddlers

A research team from the Department of Psychiatry at Tohoku University, led by Dr. Zhiqian Yu and Professor Hiroaki Tomita, has uncovered compelling evidence that maternal perinatal depression - psychological distress occurring during pregnancy or postpartum - elevates the risk of autistic-related traits in toddlers, with a particularly strong impact on girls.

5 Feb 2026

Severe pregnancy sickness doubles postpartum depression risk

Severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy may elevate postpartum depression risk, suggesting the need for early detection and tailored maternal support.

5 Feb 2026

Post-thrombectomy alteplase linked to better stroke outcomes

Giving the clot-busting medication alteplase at the site of a blocked brain artery after blood clot removal may increase the number of patients who fully recover, according to preliminary late-breaking science presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

4 Feb 2026

Emotional pain often outweighs fear in post-traumatic stress disorder

New research is challenging the long-held view of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a fear-based disorder. In a new study, 68% of trauma-exposed individuals reported that emotional pain (guilt, shame, sadness, loss of joy) impaired their daily functioning more than fear.

4 Feb 2026

Neurological Long COVID hits harder in some countries than others

A global study reveals significant variations in neurological Long COVID symptoms, highlighting the need for tailored healthcare responses across countries.

4 Feb 2026

WHO addresses the mental health impacts of neglected tropical diseases

A major new World Health Organization publication sets out, for the first time, a practical, evidence-based package of care to address the mental health impacts of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and the stigma that can prevent people from seeking care and participating fully in society.

4 Feb 2026