A major international MRI study analyzing brain scans from over 12,000 individuals has identified subtle brain structure changes associated with major depressive disorder (MDD). Researchers found that people with depression had thinner cortical regions involved in emotion regulation, decision-making, attention, and movement, while overall brain surface area remained unchanged. These differences were most evident in adults experiencing active depression, but not in adolescents. The study also observed slightly greater cortical thinning in patients taking antidepressants, though the effects were modest. While these findings are not yet suitable for diagnosis, they provide valuable insights into depression’s biological basis and may help develop better diagnostic tools and personalized treatments in the future.
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