Depression, also called major depressive disorder, is a common but serious mental health condition. It affects the way a person feels, thinks, behaves, and sees the world around them. People with depression may feel awful, lose interest in things they once enjoyed, experience fatigue (extreme tiredness), or have trouble with daily activities.
A 2023 national survey shows that about 29% of adults have experienced depression at some point in their lives. Around 18% are dealing with it right now. The study also found that women are more likely than men to experience depression. Depression tends to affect younger adults more frequently than older adults.
Depression can affect anyone, no matter their age. It often starts for the first time during the late teenage years or in the early to mid-20s. Although it is common, depression is a serious condition that may need proper care, support, and treatment to help people recover.
Because early treatment can make a big difference, scientists are working to find better ways to detect depression sooner. Researchers from the University of Queensland (UQ), together with the University of Minnesota, may have discovered a new method to identify and treat depression in its early stages. They studied levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a molecule known as the body’s “energy currency,” in the brains and blood of young people with depression.
Associate Professor Susannah Tye from UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) explained that their study is the first time that specific patterns of these energy molecules have been observed in both the brain and bloodstream of young people with major depressive disorder (MDD). She added, “This could mean that depression may start from fundamental changes in the way cells use energy.”
Fatigue is one of the most common and difficult symptoms of depression. Many people spend years trying to find the right treatment. The lack of research on the biological causes of depression has hindered the development of new therapies. Researchers hope that this discovery could pave the way for earlier and more targeted treatments, potentially improving outcomes for patients.
In the study, the team at the University of Minnesota collected blood samples and brain scans from 18 young adults aged 18 to 25 who had been diagnosed with MDD. The samples were then analyzed by researchers at QBI and compared with samples from people without depression.
Dr. Roger Varela, a researcher at QBI, said the team discovered that in people with depression, cells produced more energy molecules while at rest but struggled to increase energy production when under stress. “This suggests that cells may overwork themselves early in the illness, which could cause long-term problems,” Dr. Varela explained.
This finding was unexpected, as scientists usually assume that energy production would be lower in people with depression. The study suggests something new. In the early stages of depression, mitochondria may not work properly. Mitochondria are the parts of cells that produce energy. They may struggle to meet the body’s energy needs. Because of this, people may feel low or sad. They may lose motivation, and their thinking may also become slower.
Dr. Varela also talked about the probable social impact of the research. “These results show that depression affects the entire body, not just the brain,” he said. “It occurs at a cellular level and varies from person to person.
Understanding these differences can help create better treatments for each person, as personalized approaches may address the specific cellular and physiological changes associated with depression in individuals. The researchers also hope their work will reduce the stigma around depression. They show that depression involves real changes in the body. It is not just about willpower or mood.
This study has been published in the journal Translational Psychiatry, and it could mark an important step toward earlier detection and more precise treatments for major depressive disorders, giving young patients a better chance to regain their energy, motivation, and overall quality of life.
