A recent survey investigated how antidepressant drugs work and how it influences a person’s mindset. Depression, is the most common mental health disease globally, has many individuals relying on antidepressant drugs to survive their day.
The survey also experimented with whether a different new drug could work the same way or better than antidepressants. The study suggested a new drug that would better assist individuals struggling with depression.
The effects of depression
A statement issued by Mayo Clinic stated that the most severe depressive disorders are mood disorders that cause feelings of loss and sadness. The clinic also revealed that clinical depression affects an individual’s feelings, thoughts, and behavior.
Clinical Depression may lead to various emotional and physical issues, and people affected with it often experience trouble while executing normal activities. Affected individuals might also feel like life isn’t worth living.
The majority of depression cases occur once during a person’s lifetime. However, a few reported cases where a person has experienced multiple episodes present symptoms such as tiredness, anxiety, loss of appetite, and others.
The World Health Organization estimated that approximately 280 million individuals experience major depressive disorder and are presently the 12th leading cause of disability globally.
Antidepressants were developed in clinical trials and observations. However, the drug’s effectiveness currently remains a mystery. In addition, the drug reportedly does not work for approximately 40% of patients suffering from MDD.
How researchers conducted the study
Patients suffering from MDD don’t respond well to antidepressants, and on the few occasions that they do, the drug takes several weeks to offer some relief. So a team of researchers recently examined mouse models with chronic stress that leads to behavioral changes controlled by the hippocampus- a structure deep in the brain’s temporal lobe.
People with MDD and schizophrenia. Mice that have been exposed to chronic stress experience cognitive deficits, a known hallmark of impaired hippocampal function.
Study authors Dane Chetkovich, MD, revealed that cognitive impairment is a vital feature of Major Depressive disorder. Patients consistently report difficulties at school and work and are some of the most challenging parts of living with depression.
