Untreated Depression Has Neurodegenerative Effects

Untreated depression, the one that becomes chronic and stays with us for years like a gray shadow that obscures everything, ends up leaving a mark on our brain.

Recent studies indicate that the change generated by this psychological condition influences structures such as the prefrontal cortex, affecting our ability to make decisions, solve problems, reflect, etc.

Neuroinflammation, reduced oxygen supply reaching the brain, alterations in the production of neurotransmitters… The processes that accompany different disorders, such as major depressive disorder, can reduce the functionality of many of our brain structures, even giving form to a neurodegenerative process.

However, these changes will begin to be evident if a patient carries this psychological problem with him for 9 to 12 months.

What can cause depression to go untreated?

Knowing this, we can ask ourselves the following question: why don’t we treat our depressions?  What makes a person not seek professional help to treat their suffering?

It should be noted that there is no single answer to these questions. In fact, we sometimes don’t quite define the complexity of this mood disorder.

There are those who think it will never get better. Your own illness acts as a shield and makes it impossible to ask for help.  Other people are resistant to treatment.

There are also those who have misconceptions about psychological therapy, who do not trust or even those who dare not assume they have a problem.

On the other hand,  we cannot ignore those who lack the resources and social support to ask for help either. Living with an untreated psychological disorder is sadly common, and the effects of this reality can be immense.

What are the consequences of untreated depression?

Many of us know what depression is. Either because we have suffered it in the past or today, or because someone close to us has passed through this universe so exhausting on all levels.

We are aware of its animic effects, which it implies on a physical and even social level. However, what a large part of the population may not know is the effect it has on our brains.

An interesting study by Dr. Victor H. Perry, professor of neuropathology at the University of Southampton, UK, talked about this very curious and important fact.

It has been shown that people with major depressive disorder are at increased risk of carrying this condition for a long time. Relapses are frequent, so we can have patients who have been dealing with this kind of severe reality for decades.

Untreated or persistent depression has a neurodegenerative effect. Let’s see more data below.

Several brain regions reduce their size

A study carried out by Dr. Dilara Yüksel, from the University of Istanbul, was able to demonstrate the alteration generated by major depressive disorder at the brain level over 3 years, if it is not treated (or if there is no reaction to the treatment ).

The most striking consequence is the reduction in size of various structures, such as:

• The prefrontal cortex
• the cerebral thalamus

• the hippocampus
• the amygdala

These areas are directly linked to our memory, processing our emotions and executive functions (problem solving, attention, planning, responsiveness to the environment, etc.).

C-reactive protein and inflammation

Untreated depression also has a biological effect: it elevates neuroinflammation. Dr. Jeff Meyer of the Center for Mental Health at the University of Toronto in Canada conducted a survey of 80 participants over 10 years.

Half of them suffered from major depressive disorder but had never received treatment. The aim was to find out what effect this had on the brain.

• One thing he could see was a greater accumulation of C-reactive protein in the brain areas mentioned above: prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala…
• This type of protein generates an inflammatory effect, something that undoubtedly opens up the possibility to try other types of pharmacological treatments for these very specific cases.

Reduction of oxygen reaching the brain

This data is impressive. Works like the one carried out by Dr. Tomohiko Shibata,

Something like this generates more tiredness, disorientation, concentration problems, migraine… The effect is evident and, therefore, hyperbaric oxygen chambers are already being used to relieve symptoms.

As we can see, major depressive disorder can undoubtedly have a highly detrimental effect on brain health.

The impact of the disease itself ends up altering the functionality of our brain, and this certainly makes the discomfort aggravate and cognitive problems and even greater resistance to treatments are added.

However, new techniques have been appearing in recent years. It was observed, for example, that the  transcranial magnetic stimulation (not electroconvulsive) significantly improves the well-being of these patients.

Thus, magnetic pulses aimed at these problem areas improve biochemistry and connectivity. According to experts, it ‘s like “reset” the brain. Let’s wait for new and promising advances.