Is depression actually an overactive brain?

[Maxmars]

I found this article presenting an interesting case for....

The Cells of the Depressed Brain Are Working Too Hard
 

Inside every cell, tiny molecular machines are running more or less continuously, churning out a molecule called adenosine triphosphate. ATP is the basic unit of biological energy, the chemical that powers almost everything from a muscle contraction to a thought, and the mitochondria that make it are perpetually adjusting their output to match demand. In a healthy cell, the system is tuned, responsive, capable of ramping up when the body needs it. In the cells of young adults with major depressive disorder, something rather different is happening.

The thrust of the article seems to broach teenage depression, but the study may have great bearing on how depressive disorders plague older patients.

There is some attention given regarding the technology they used (the 'Tesla 7 scanner.)

But the new APT measurements showed an unexpected result...

The results surprised them. The expectation going in, reasonably enough, was that depressed participants might show sluggish energy production. What they actually found was the opposite. “This was surprising,” said Dr. Roger Varela of the Queensland Brain Institute, “because you might expect energy production in cells would be lower for people with depression.” The brain cells of the depressed participants were producing ATP faster than those of the healthy controls, not more slowly. Their blood cells held higher resting concentrations of ATP too.

Perhaps this just demonstrates we're not done figuring depression out.

The remainder of the article is a worthy read....
please do....

[ArMaP]

I'm not much surprised about that, as I see depression (or at least some kinds of depression) as having too many things on your mind and not being able to decide what to do, a little like having lots of Christmas presents to open and not being able to choose which one to open first, so you don't be disappointed.

The fact is the brain still holds many secrets, and, apparently, not all are directly related to chemistry, as many people thought.

But it's always good when they find a new clue.

[BeyondKnowledge]

I found this article presenting an interesting case for....

The Cells of the Depressed Brain Are Working Too Hard
 

The thrust of the article seems to broach teenage depression, but the study may have great bearing on how depressive disorders plague older patients.

There is some attention given regarding the technology they used (the 'Tesla 7 scanner.)

But the new APT measurements showed an unexpected result...

Perhaps this just demonstrates we're not done figuring depression out.

The remainder of the article is a worthy read....
please do....

The linked articles actually says the increase in ATP is likely a person's reaction to fighting depression but it needs more study. It in no way suggests the increase in ATP causes depression.

It goes on to state with age, this increase of ATP drops off to below normal causing the person to lose the counteractive affect of it fighting the depression. This also needs further study it states. 


Also a Tesla is a measurement of magnetic field strength. There is no Tesla 7 scanner. That is just how strong the magnetic field of the scanner is set to. 

The ATP increase seems to indicate the onset and counter reaction to depression. Much like swelling, heat, and redness indicates an infected injury to the body. Over time, this ATP reaction burns itself out and is no longer effective in fighting the depression.

Still, a good article about how little we know about how the brain works.

[Maxmars]

...

Still, a good article about how little we know about how the brain works.

Thank you kindly for the elaboration and redirection.

I took a cue from a comment in the article and mistook a probable transliteration error reference as them referring the tech as "Tesla 7"... my bad.

However... I'm very encouraged that the metrics about depression are now expanding... 
The dispersion of encapsulated energy inside our nervous systems is a vast mystery...

[BeyondKnowledge]

Thank you kindly for the elaboration and redirection.

I took a cue from a comment in the article and mistook a probable transliteration error reference as them referring the tech as "Tesla 7"... my bad.

However... I'm very encouraged that the metrics about depression are now expanding... 
The dispersion of encapsulated energy inside our nervous systems is a vast mystery...

Yes, that article also covers how little this has been studied.

It also mentions chemically testing the ATP levels  and rates could find this reaction much cheaper and easier than a scan should further research indicate the stated findings.

They might be going in the right direction for a cure or at least a proper diagnosis rather than just prescribing mind altering chemicals.

A MRI scanner usually runs at 1.5 to 3 Tesla so a 7 Tesla machine is probably only available at very few research labs. The cost of restricting magnet metal use in its surrounding area would make it impossible to use in a hospital setting. The floor above and below a normal MRI scanner is restricted from use or storage of magnetic metal and that would probably need an increase to twice or more distance at 7 Tesla. That is likely why so little research on this has been done.

[Maxmars]

...

They might be going in the right direction for a cure or at least a proper diagnosis rather than just prescribing mind altering chemicals.

I have complete respect for pharmacology... but not so much it's applications...
my own biases bar me from opining on the 'sciences' of medicating depression.

And yes, there is a mountain of depression, the peak of which features thousands of doses of ultimately useless medications which very nearly destroyed my life...

medication insists upon itself...
doesn't it?

so do actuarial tables....

[BeyondKnowledge]

I have complete respect for pharmacology... but not so much it's applications...

The biggest problem with pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of depression and other mental conditions is they work differently for different individuals, more so than drugs for physical  conditions. That and the over reliance in the past to just keep people doped up so they would be less of a bother. 

I do hope this leads to some breakthroughs in treatment of depression and possibly some other conditions. I think this is a big step in understanding what we don't know and which direction to proceed further.

[Karl12]

Reckon before anyone diagnoses anyone they should read through these quotes (twice).


QUOTES

[ANNEE]

How about a brain that has nowhere to go?

We are forced into a controlled program called society. 

And all brains are supposed to fit that programming — but they don’t.

[quintessentone]

How about a brain that has nowhere to go?

We are forced into a controlled program called society. 

And all brains are supposed to fit that programming — but they don’t.

Let's hope the fields of neuroscience, sociology, biology, psychology etc. continue to advance to find the answers for understanding, tolerance and belonging.