Study reveals new mechanism underlying depression

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have added to the medical understanding of depression by revealing a new mechanism underpinning the mental condition.

A team from the university has found that changes in one type of non-neuronal brain cells – known as microglia – are responsible for the depressive symptoms brought on by exposure to chronic stress.

Moreover, experiments using animals revealed that compounds that alter the function of these microglia cells can be used as novel and efficient antidepressant drugs.

Microglia are the representatives of the immune system in the brain and comprise around ten percent of the brain's total cells. This is the first direct evidence to suggest that microglia cells play a role in causing psychopathology.

Professor Raz Yirmiya, director of the Hebrew University's psychoneuroimmunology laboratory, said: "This suggests new avenues for drug research, in which microglia stimulators could serve as fast-acting antidepressants in some forms of depressive and stress-related conditions."

Clinical depression is quite a common condition that affects about one in ten people at some point in their lives, including both men and women of all ages.