Depression

Changes to one's hippocampus, the brain's memory centre, in response to prolonged pain could be an important factor for why some people develop depression in chronic pain, while others do not, according to a study. "Our findings suggest that the hippocampus acts as a control centre that helps the brain regulate emotional responses to long-term pain. Depression is not inevitable -- it depends on how this system responds over time," co-lead author Jianfeng Feng, professor of computer science at the UK's University of Warwick, said. The study, published in the journal Science, analysed brain scans from population cohorts, including data from the UK Biobank, and a rodent model. People living with chronic pain but without depression tended to show a slightly larger volume of and an increased activity in the hippocampus. The changes were accompanied by an improved performance in learning and memory tasks, suggesting that the brain may initially mount a compensatory response to persistent

A global review of data from over 22 million people links mental disorders to higher risks of heart attacks, suggesting mental health screening may need to become part of routine heart disease prevent

Researchers at Aiims and global scientists are studying how changes in tone, pitch and speech patterns may help AI flag early signs of depression from short voice recordings

Older adults who are frail and have depression could be at a higher risk of dementia, with the factors combined contributing to 17 per cent of the overall risk, according to a study. The findings, published in the journal General Psychiatry, suggests that while frailty and depression each increase dementia risk on their own, having both the conditions could make one more than three times as likely to develop dementia, compared with those in good health. According to researchers from Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China, frailty and depression should be routinely assessed in older people, as improving their physical and mental health could help reduce dementia risk. The previously published research has primarily focused on the individual associations between physical frailty or depression and dementia risk, they added. Data from more than two lakh people from the US and UK, including the UK Biobank dataset, were analysed. During a 13-year follow-up, 9,088 participants wer

Extreme cold affects breathing, circulation, immunity and mental health. Experts break down the five major risks linked to cold waves and practical steps to stay safe

Winter blues are common, but SAD is a recurring depressive condition that needs attention. From overlooked symptoms to light therapy and sleep routines, here's what experts recommend

A global review of 66 studies across 31 countries finds adults with very low vitamin D levels face a higher risk of depression, especially when levels drop below 30 nmol/L

A Nature Communications study finds women carry 6,000 extra genetic variants linked to major depressive disorder, explaining why depression affects them more than men

On World Mental Health Day 2025, experts share how to spot early signs of stress, anxiety, or depression and offer timely first aid support

What 197 million Indians need, and why the system is struggling to deliver it

Global data reveals that women are more prone to depression and anxiety than men, with social, biological and economic factors driving the mental health gap

Recent research links late-morning meals with higher risks of depression, fatigue, and accelerated biological ageing among older adults

A global study finds rising stress, anxiety and depression among youth, even as older adults report improved mental health and greater life satisfaction

New data from the World Health Organization reveals alarming global gaps in mental health care, with women and young people most affected, high suicide rates and stagnation in mental health investment

New research reveals a strong link between sensitivity and mental health risks like anxiety and depression, but also improves response to care

Chinese researchers engineered dopamine-producing neurons from stem cells and transplanted them into mice, reducing depression-like symptoms and boosting reward responses

Women with premature ovarian insufficiency face significantly higher risks of depression and anxiety, prompting experts to call for routine mental health screening

A new study finds that psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound in magic mushrooms, can offer long-term relief from depression and anxiety in cancer patients

People often dismiss burnout as a temporary rough patch. But ignoring the signs could lead to serious mental health issues. Here's how to recognise the difference

New studies reveal a strong link between depression and mood disorders in mid to late life and the risk of developing dementia later on. Experts say early detection could be key