Antidepressants may normalize brain tissue changes caused by chronic depression

A new study reveals how antidepressant medications physically change the brain. Researchers found that treating chronic depression normalizes abnormal brain tissue microstructure, suggesting the initial abnormalities were actually the brain’s attempt to cope with severe symptoms.

An experimental study of individuals suffering from persistent depressive disorder found that treatment with the antidepressants duloxetine and desvenlafaxine normalized tissue microstructure in parts of the brain. Symptom severity mediated the treatment effects on tissue microstructure, suggesting that abnormal tissue at the start of the study might be a compensatory response of the brain to depression symptoms. The paper was published in NeuroImage: Clinical .

Persistent depressive disorder, formerly called dysthymia, is a chronic condition in which low mood and related symptoms persist for at least two years in adults. Symptoms may include low energy, poor concentration, hopelessness, low self-esteem, sleep disturbance, appetite changes, and reduced enjoyment or motivation. These symptoms may be less intense than those of a major depressive episode, but their long duration can substantially impair work, relationships, and quality of life.

Some people with persistent depressive disorder also experience superimposed episodes of major depression, sometimes informally called “double depression.” The mainstream treatments involve psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both. Study