Depression Linked to Reduced Microglia Activity.

Microglial cells, a type of immune cell in the brain, are less active in individuals with depression, according to a new study by the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience. The suppression of these immune cells was found to occur only in the grey matter of the brain, suggesting an interaction between microglial cells and neurons, which may influence the formation and maintenance of connections between neurons. These findings challenge previous hypotheses suggesting a state of inflammation in the brain associated with depression and introduce the concept of suppressed immunity and its potential role in depression, laying the groundwork for future research on potential treatments.