Two types of brain cells involved in depression identified for the first time

Canadian scientists have for the first time identified two types of brain cells that change markedly in people with depression, suggesting the disease is rooted in biological rather than just psychological changes.

Depression is not just an emotion - science proves there are "traces" in the brain - Photo: Freepik

Canadian scientists have for the first time identified two types of brain cells that are markedly altered in people with depression – a breakthrough that sheds light on the biology of the disease and paves the way for targeted therapies.

The study, conducted by McGill University and the Douglas Institute, published in the journal Nature Genetics , was based on rare brain tissue taken from the Canadian Douglas-Bell Brain Bank – one of the few sources of samples in the world donated by people with mental disorders.

Using single-cell genetics techniques, the team analyzed the RNA and DNA of thousands of brain cells from 59 people with depression and 41 people without the disease, to determine which cell types behaved differently and which gene segments were responsible for these changes.

The results showed that gene dysfunction occurred in two key groups of cells: a type of excitatory neuron involved in regulating emotions and responding to stress, and a subgroup of microglia cells that play a role in controlling inflammation in the brain.

In both of these cell types, many genes are abnormally active in depressed people, suggesting profound disturbances in the neural systems involved in mood and immunity.

"This is the first time we have identified specific cell types affected in depression, by mapping gene activity along with the mechanisms that regulate the genetic code. This helps us better understand where in the brain the disorder occurs and which cells are involved," said Professor Gustavo Turecki, lead author of the study.

According to Mr. Turecki, this discovery contributes to eliminating the notion that depression is only a psychological problem. He commented: "Depression is not just an emotion - it is a manifestation of real, measurable changes in the brain."

The team now plans to investigate how these cellular changes affect brain function, as well as evaluate the possibility of developing new therapies that directly target them.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/lan-dau-xac-dinh-hai-loai-te-bao-nao-lien-quan-den-tram-cam-20251007100433957.htm