New Delhi, January 3 (UITV)- Scientists have recently revealed a deep connection between depression and inflammation, which can completely change the way depression is understood. Research by Professor Raz Yirmiya, a neuroscientist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has clearly brought this connection to the fore and it is not only limited to laboratories, but can also lead to new treatments and methods in the field of mental health.
Professor Yirmiya’s team found that microglia cells and interleukin-1 (a type of protein) play an important role in depression caused by stress. Microglia cells function as part of the immune system in the brain and when the body is affected by stress, these cells become active, which starts the process of inflammation. This discovery has brought forth the question whether the treatment of depression can be improved by understanding inflammation and whether different types of immune responses affect different forms of depression?
Professor Yirmiya said in an interview that most patients suffering from depression do not have any obvious physical disease related to inflammation, but he and other scientists have found that stress, which is a major cause of depression, activates the processes of inflammation in the brain. This information can become the basis for looking at the treatment of depression from a new perspective.
Yirmiya’s team has identified potential treatment targets through advanced techniques and practical studies. Their research focuses on the microglial checkpoint system and stress tolerance. This research helps to understand how the immune system affects mental health and how mental health can be improved by controlling it.
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Professor Yirmiya believes that controlling the process of inflammation can take important steps towards personalized treatment. He said, “My main effort is to use my and other scientists’ research to develop new antidepressants that target inflammation processes.” His approach presents new hopes and treatment options in the field of mental health, which may be different from traditional treatments.
Yirmia’s research concludes that activating or suppressing the immune system can lead to symptoms of depression. Therefore, a personalized approach is needed to treat depression, as every patient’s physical condition and mental health condition may be different. This means that depression cannot be treated in a one-size-fits-all way and a specific treatment may be required for each patient.
This research marks a revolutionary change in the field of mental health treatment. Regarding this research, scientists believe that by better understanding the process of inflammation and the immune system, significant improvements can be made in the treatment of depression. Professor Yirmiya’s work is an important step in this direction, which can present new ways of better care and treatment of mental health in the future.
This interview with Professor Yirmiya about this research is part of a series that highlights the scientists behind the new thinking of science. The authors of the series state that each interview presents a wonderful mix of the scientists’ research and their personal thoughts, giving the viewer a new perspective on the inspiration and ideas behind the research.
