MRI scans point to amygdala as role player in depression
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People who are afflicted with major depressive disorder can help themselves live a more functional life if they buy Canadian Paxil. Such mental illnesses develop as a combination of both genes and the environment. New research from the Center for Emotion Remediation and Virtual Reality, CNRS / UPMC / CHU Pitie Salpetriere, in France indicates that an area of the brain known as the amygdala may be a focal point for these two factors to come together in depression.
Previous studies have indicated that different forms of the gene 5-HTTLPR could affect activity in the amygdala. In order to investigate whether this relationship had an impact on depression, the research team conducted a study on 45 healthy subjects who had both long and short forms of the gene. Study participants underwent MRI scans of their brains while viewing certain images. Each individual was asked to objectively characterize the pleasantness or unpleasantness of the image as well as how it related to their lives.
Results showed that people who had short forms of 5-HTTLPR had more activity occurring in their amygdala when asked to relate an image to their lives, compared to when they had to make an objective assessment. Furthermore, interviews conducted before the scans indicated that personal stress also interacted with this gene, as published in the November issue of Human Brain Mapping.
This study suggests that therapy may interact with depressed individuals' genetics in a variety of ways, the researchers said.
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