How stress and depression shrink brain - The Times of India

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How stress and depression shrink brain

ANI | Dec 29, 2012, 12.00 AM IST Like 41 Tweet 6 2 Share 3
27 Comments

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Ronald Duman | Stress | Genetic | Depression | Therapies

People suffering from major depression or chronic stress suffer loss of brain volume, a condition that contributes to both emotional and cognitive impairment. Now a team of researchers led by Yale scientists has discovered the cause behind this condition a single genetic switch that triggers loss of brain connections in humans and depression in animal models.
How stress and depression shrink brain (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)

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The findings showed that the genetic switch known as a transcription factor represses the expression of several genes that are necessary for the formation of synaptic connections between brain cells, which in turn could contribute to loss of brain mass in the prefrontal cortex. "We wanted to test the idea that stress causes a loss of brain synapses in humans. We show that circuits normally involved in emotion, as well as cognition, are disrupted when this single transcription factor is activated," said senior author Ronald Duman, the Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry and professor of neurobiology and of pharmacology. The research team analyzed tissue of depressed and non-depressed patients donated from a brain bank and looked for different patterns of gene activation. The brains of patients who had been depressed exhibited lower levels of expression in genes that are required for the function and structure of brain synapses. Lead author and postdoctoral researcher H .J. Kang discovered that at least five of these genes could be regulated by a single transcription factor called GATA1. When the transcription factor was activated, rodents exhibited depressive-like symptoms, suggesting GATA1 plays a role not only in the loss of connections between neurons but also in symptoms of depression.

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How stress and depression shrink brain - The Times of India

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Duman theorizes that genetic variations in GATA1 may one day help identify people at high risk for major depression or sensitivity to stress. "We hope that by enhancing synaptic connections, either with novel medications or behavioural therapy, we can develop more effective antidepressant therapies," Duman said. The findings were reported in latest issue of the journal Nature Medicine.
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How stress and depression shrink brain - The Times of India

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Sort by: Newest | Oldest | Recommended (6) | Most Discussed | Agree | Disagree | Logged in CommentsNew!

Saleem Ponnambath (Doha) 2 Followers 32 days ago Bronze: 215

A starling but informative one. thanks.

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dv1173 (New Delhi) 82 Followers 32 days ago Gold: 17K

My BOSS gives me lot off Tension and stress and then want me to do best at work... F**K off..

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kodali (Andhra Pradedsh) 31 Followers 33 days ago Gold: 6063

drink lots of water and recharge the cells in the brain. Brain is just a battery and needs recharge. please do not take any medication the doctors advise you but just drink lots of water and sun charge your cells by looking at the sun when it raise and during it setting.

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Jitpal Singh (Ropar) 24 Followers 33 days ago Gold: 9469

good article giving valuable information about stress on brain cells and after affects.

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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/How-stress-and-depress... 12/29/2012

How stress and depression shrink brain - The Times of India

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ajax (India) 7 Followers 33 days ago Silver: 2397

YES ! Its true that stress affects brain too much. A person thinks only on his problems and blames god. It becomes very difficult for one to get out of stress.. I have been through this...5 yrs back. Its painful, alone......

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JediHomer (UK) replies to ajax 30 Followers 33 days ago Gold: 10.5K

Hope you have come through successfully. My relative had gone through it last year, seeing the state of his family brought me to tears

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ajax replies to JediHomer 7 Followers 32 days ago

3

Silver: 2397

It was tough, but one needs family and friend support especially during this time..

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colranbir lamba (PTA) 228 Followers 33 days ago Platinum: 32.2K

STRESS PUTS PRESSURE ON TISSUES>TISSUES SHRINK>.BRAIN = BODY SHRINKS

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JediHomer (UK) 30 Followers 33 days ago Gold: 10.5K

Good article. A lot of people now are falling victim to stress,depression and nervous breakdowns It has become part and parcel of our fast lives now

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How stress and depression shrink brain - The Times of India

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pgangadharanpulingat nair (kanhangad) 88 Followers 33 days ago Gold: 17.6K

The medical and scientific advancement and research on human brain system is going on and new findings coming forth which will be so much important for the treatment of diseases of mental disorders and find out the exact going on brain systems and its inner happenings. As the common people of us are unaware to understand the intricacies it is happy to learn and read such articles which is simple in terms of understanding for a basic interested person.

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Pramode Mishra (Patna, India) 9 Followers 55 days ago Silver: 3357

It is a good and informative article.

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Ali Ghias (india) 29 Followers 103 days ago Gold: 13.9K

Stress will always be there till your lives and nothing can cure it at all even the richest and poorest on the planet suffer with stress after all we are all ordinary humans but to reduce it should it should not lead to bad habits to make it more disaster to our own lives natural stress and other related health problems will remain till eternity otherwise not even a single doctor is needed and also no need for such demand today where majority are even prepared to give a fortune to become doctors the childhood dreams of all majority not only in India and all over the world it has the highest market value in matrimonial market today than any other professions on this planet but destiny also plays a very big major part since all professions are needed for all to survive on this GOD created Planet !

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Ashok (Jammu) 5 Followers 123 days ago Silver: 1624 Agree (1) Di (0)

Valuable information

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/How-stress-and-depress... 12/29/2012

How stress and depression shrink brain - The Times of India

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Aam Aadmi (Common Man) replies to Ali Ghias 3 Followers 101 days ago Silver: 1242

you seems to be one of the greatest depressed person.. Bludy no Comma no full stop, dont know where sentence begins n where it ends..

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Suresh BV Bharadwaj (Bangalore) 129 days ago

LET EVERY HUNDRED INDIANS PRODUCE WHAT THOUSAND INDIANS NEED & TURN INDIA INTO A HEAVEN ON EARTH ( SHATA-VYAKTI SAMAHAR SAHASRA-VYAKTI SUM KIR : ATHARVA VEDA ). Indias Army General Vijay Kumar Singh alerted India & PM Manmohan Singh about Indias defense forces being so under-equipped that India would run out of arms in 15 days if its enemies USA & Italy attacked India. European Italian Sonia Edvige Antonia Albina Mainos defense minister AK Anthony converted a silly data of birth issue into Italys life & death issue & cut short the glorious career of General VK Singh. AK Anthony ignored Indias friend Russia & bought billions of dollars worth of arms from India's enemy USA, which will make these arms 100% useless, unusable & non-functional, using embedded system sensors -scanners -imagers -nano chip cameras & robots - secretive software hacking codes & GPS remote-sensing, remote control abilities. Atal Behari Vajpayees defense minister George Fernandes removed Indias upright Navy Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat & made corruption money in buying of coffins to carry dead bodies of Indian soldiers. These infractions have hurt & demoralized Indian armed forces to nations detriment, morale & interests. European Sonia, Robert Maureen Vadra, Maureen European Scottish McDonagh Vadra, Priyanka Bianca Maureen Vadra & Raul Rahul Vincis family friend Octavio Quattrocchi made corruption money in European AB Bofors Howtizer gun deal. USAs Embassy, CIA & AK Anthony engineered mass riots to get EMS Nambi Namboodiri Namboodiripad's Kerala government sacked. Asian Sanatani Indias Deadliest Enemy, the European American Christian Quaker Richard Milhous Nixon sent USA Naval 7th Fleet with Atom Bombs against India in 1971, urged China to launch war against India with USA support & ordered assassinations of Indias best, bravest & patriotic PM Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Jithendra Prasad, Rajesh Pilot & Madhavrao Scindia. BACHAO ASIAN INDIANS IN INDIA & ABROAD, HATAO EUROPEAN ITALIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS & PROTECT ASIAN BHARAT DESH! USA & Europe 24/7 monitor, manipulate, molest, harm, hurt, humiliate, torture & destroy the lives of Asian Indians using Remote Body Area Networks, Remote Mind Control Networks, Remote Neuro Scientist -Clinical Trial Psychologist -Psychiatrist -Behavioral Change Therapist -Gene & Cell Therapists -Sex Therapist -Past Life Regression Therapist Operated & Managed 24/7 Talking, Singing, Thoughts Instilling & Manipulating, BodyBrain-Mind Torturing, Sleep Depriving & life destroying Networks & Remote Showing to Eyes Frightening-Fearful-Nauseating Face, Teeth, Nose, Skull, Painting, Picture, Scene, Video & Moving Object Networks. Jai Kaivalya Advait Adinath! Jai Maya Advait Gautam Buddha! Jai Advait Adi Shankara! Jai Vishist Advait Ramanuja! Jai Shakti Vishist Advait Panchacharyas! Jai Shuddha Advait Vallabha! Jai Hari Advait Guru Nanak! Jai Bheda Abheda Advait Jiva-Rupa-Sanatana-Chaitanya! Jai Rig Veda Sayana Acharya! Jai Hind! OM!

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Lall Narang (PUNE) 64 Followers 136 days ago Gold: 21.3K

No wonder all our politicians have shrunken brains.. :d

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How stress and depression shrink brain - The Times of India

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Harminder Singh (Ludhiana) 24 Followers 137 days ago Silver: 3150

thanks for the valuable information

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pinaki (pune) 20 Followers 137 days ago Gold: 6194

Employees from IT companies must read this article..

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joyin (Kochi) 7 Followers 137 days ago Silver: 2582

To keep away stress and depression I quit my IT job as early as I could and do not want to pursue further as an employee.

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Rasik Girey (MUMBAI) 17 Followers 137 days ago Gold: 6946

Nice article

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How stress and depression shrink brain - The Times of India

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Anonym (India) replies to joyin 137 days ago

then what is the alternative? Start own business?

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joyin replies to Anonym 7 Followers 137 days ago

4

Silver: 2582

I cannot think of taking up a job with the so called client/customers/superiors waiting to pounce on you. I prefer to do something that makes me happy after you make sure you have earned enough just to keep you alive, cutting on major desires, leading a simple life. Bottom line is, try to do something that makes you happy. IT in India is horrible.

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manu (mel) replies to joyin 98 days ago

hey buddy am in ditto situation and have exact same thinking as you. drop me a mail at manuaquarius at yahoo dot com , lets share ideas, maybe we become great friends .. and dont worry, i am straight !

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Indo (US) replies to joyin 137 days ago

Joe, IT is horrible every where. I live in the US and its getting worse here too. I too quit my job a month ago but will work as a independent contractor now. I agree with you that one should only do what one enjoys. Thats the key to self discovery. Money and sustainability has fu**ed us so bad over the period of time that we are paying the price now. Keep your chin up and charge ahead with force and confidence.

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Thomas (Kochi) replies to joyin 137 days ago

How are you managing? I too want to relax. How much have you earned (saved). Are you surviving with the interest? Dont you have a house loan? Please guide me.

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joyin replies to Thomas 7 Followers 137 days ago Silver: 2582

Hi Thomas, I am surviving with some saving I had and that is for next 2 years. By that time I am sure I will do something that will make me happy, even if I have to cook or have a Tea stall or ride an Auto etc where we share happiness with others. But not IT where it is difficult to make others happy. Housing Loan etc. was cleared. Do not go for any Loan if you cannot manage it. Previously I worked abroad and made a quick buck to get clear the Loans.

Agree (3) Disagree (0) Recommend (2) Offensive Sugg estion (UK) replies to Thomas

Have you tried your hand at teaching or private

Agree (11)

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How stress and depression shrink brain - The Times of India

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137 days ago

tutoring? Pupils and students in India have very few behavioural issues (unlike those in the West). Most have a genuine desire to learn. You won't become rich, but will earn enough to pay your bills!

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