Brain Location Targeting Depression Patients Indentified
- 8 years ago
A section of the brain that responds to negative experiences acts in a surprising way in people with depression, a new study finds. One theory suggests that a pea-sized structure called the habenula was overactive in people with depression. "Surprisingly, we saw the exact opposite of what we predicted," said a professor at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience in University College London. One speculation by researchers believes the habenula may help us to avoid dwelling on unpleasant thoughts or memories, and when it is disrupted you get the excessive negative focus that is common in depression.