NIMH Pages about Depression

Overview of Depression…

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Publications about Depression

Depression and Parkinson's Disease: This brochure describes the signs and symptoms of depression and how it is linked to other illnesses, including Parkinson's disease. En Español
Depression and Stroke: This brochure describes the signs and symptoms of depression and how it is linked to other illnesses, including stroke. En Español
Depression and Osteoporosis: This brochure describes the signs and symptoms of depression and how it is linked to other illnesses, including osteoporosis. En Español
Depression and HIV/AIDS: This brochure describes the signs and symptoms of depression and how it is linked to other illnesses, including HIV/AIDS. En Español
Depression and Chronic Pain: This brochure describes the signs and symptoms of depression and how it is linked to other illnesses, including chronic pain. En Español

More Publications about Depression

Science News about Depression

NIH Study Shows People with Serious Mental Illnesses Can Lose Weight: Press Release • March 21, 2013

Losing weight is challenging for everyone. It can be particularly difficult for someone with a serious mental illness. An NIMH-funded clinical study proves that a modified diet and exercise program can work for people with serious mental illnesses. Participants lost 7 pounds more than controls—and continued to lose weight.
Five Major Mental Disorders Share Genetic Roots: Science Update • March 01, 2013

Five major mental disorders share some of the same genetic risk factors, the largest genome-wide study of its kind has found.
Imaging Biomarker Predicts Response to Rapid Antidepressant: Press Release • February 04, 2013

A boost of activity in visual cortex at the back of the brain, triggered by the processing of emotional information, predicted depressed patients’ responses to a rapid-acting antidepressant.
Stress-Resilience/Susceptibility Traced to Neurons in Reward Circuit: Press Release • December 12, 2012

Researchers, for the first time, have instantly switched depression-like states on-and-off in mice by tweaking the firing pattern of neurons in the brain’s reward circuit.
Experimental Agent Briefly Eases Depression Rapidly in Test: Press Release • December 11, 2012

Ketamine-like agent lifts depression briefly in treatment-resistant patients, with few side effects.

More Science News about Depression

Posts about Depression

Summer Science

By Thomas Insel on August 24, 2012

Numerous provocative advances in neuroscience were reported during the summer of 2012.

Antidepressants: A complicated picture

By Thomas Insel on December 06, 2011

Dr. Insel discusses the complicated nature of research on the efficacy antidepressants.

How Does Memory Work? The Plot Thickens

By Thomas Insel on February 10, 2011

Rapid progress in understanding how memory works – from the molecular to the behavioral level – holds promise for improved treatment of memory components of mental disorders.

NIMH’s Top 10 Research Events and Advances of 2010

By Thomas Insel on December 23, 2010

10 breakthroughs and events of 2010 which are changing the way we approach mental disorders.

Spotlight on Postpartum Depression

By Thomas Insel on October 28, 2010

Dr. Insel summarizes NIMH’s research efforts to better understand and treat postpartum depression.

Meeting Summaries about Depression

Closing the Gaps: Reducing Disparities in Mental Health Treatment through Engagement: September 12, 2011 – September 13, 2011
Bethesda, Maryland
In September 2011, the Office for Research on Disparities and Global Mental Health (ORDGMH) in the Office of the Director and the Division of Services and Intervention Research (DSIR) at NIMH convened a workshop, “Closing the Gaps: Reducing Disparities in Mental Health Treatment through Engagement.” This workshop brought together thought leaders from a range of fields—epidemiology, psychology, psychiatry, social work, and community-based services and intervention research—and representatives of key federal agencies to discuss the role of engagement in reducing mental health treatment disparities.
Fresh Perspectives in Perinatal Depression Research: Psychosocial Interventions and Mental Health Services: October 05, 2010 – October 06, 2010
Rockville, Maryland
On October 5-6, 2010, the NIMH Division of Services and Intervention Research (DSIR) convened a workshop to provide the growing number of early-stage perinatal depression psychosocial intervention and services investigators with the opportunity to discuss research strategies consistent with public health needs and NIMH priorities.
Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care: May 07, 2009 – May 08, 2009
Bethesda, Maryland
A two-day meeting convened in May 2009 educated participants on essential components of care for women with perinatal mood disorders
Research Roundtable: Heterogeneity in Child and Adolescent Depression: February 18, 2008 – February 19, 2008
Washington, DC
The purpose of this workshop was to discuss empirical evidence for sources of heterogeneity in child and adolescent depression, evaluate the significance of known heterogeneity, and identify promising research directions in this area.
Benefits, Limitations, and Emerging Research Needs in Treating Youth with Depression: February 06, 2006 – February 07, 2006
Washington, DC
On February 6 and 7, 2006, experts in child and adolescent depression met in Washington, DC to review the state of the science of the treatment of youth depression and discuss approaches to further research.