Researchers have unveiled transformative insights into the relationship between inflammation and depression, a finding that can fundamentally change our understanding of depression's biological underpinnings.
The research
by neuroscientist Professor Raz Yirmiya from Hebrew University of Jerusalem
extends far beyond the laboratory.
His
discoveries about the role of microglia cells and interleukin-1 in
stress-induced depression raise intriguing questions about therapeutic
interventions: How might understanding inflammatory processes lead to more
targeted treatments? What role do different types of immune responses play in
various forms of depression?
"Most
depressed patients do not have any overt inflammatory disease. However, we and
others found that exposure to stress, which is the most significant trigger of
depression in humans and animals, also activates inflammatory processes,
particularly in the brain," Yirmiya explained in a comprehensive Genomic
Press Interview published in the journal Brain Medicine.
Through
innovative approaches combining molecular techniques with behavioural studies,
Yirmiya's team identified several promising therapeutic targets.
Their work
on microglial checkpoint mechanisms and stress resilience opens new avenues for
understanding how the immune system influences mental health. These findings
suggest potential for developing personalised treatments based on individual
inflammatory profiles.
"My overarching
aim is to harness the extensive knowledge from my research and others to
accelerate the development of novel antidepressant therapeutics targeting
inflammatory processes," said Yirmiya.
His work
suggests that both activation and suppression of the immune system can trigger
depressive symptoms, highlighting the need for personalised treatment
approaches.
Yirmiya’s
Genomic Press interview is part of a larger series that highlights the people
behind today’s most influential scientific ideas.
Each interview
in the series offers a blend of cutting-edge research and personal reflections,
providing readers with a comprehensive view of the scientists shaping the
future, said authors.
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