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Years ago there was that paper finding that even in descendants of those with depression they experienced cortical thinning without meeting the criteria for depression.
To examine the relationship between plasma cortisol levels and the severity of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study included 240 patients with MDD who were hospitalized in the Department of Neuropsychology at Hebei General Hospital from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024. General data and plasma cortisol concentrations were obtained. Based on the total score of the Fazekas scale, patients were divided into 3 groups: no/mild group (Fazekas scale total score 0–2 points, 87 participants), moderate group (Fazekas scale total score 3–4 points, 85 participants), and severe group (Fazekas scale total score 5–6 points, 68 participants). The disparities in general and clinical data among various patient groups were compared, and the risk factors for WMH were investigated. Among 3 groups of patients, significant differences were in terms of age (58.23 ± 8.64 vs 63.59 ± 7.62 vs 67.51 ± 7.78), proportion of hypertension (37.90% vs 42.40% vs 67.60%), total cholesterol (4.85 ± 1.06 vs 4.95 ± 1.12 vs 4.53 ± 1.05), low-density lipoprotein (3.00 ± 0.70 vs 3.10 ± 0.81 vs 2.67 ± 0.79), and plasma cortisol level (13.25 ± 4.31 vs 14.36 ± 4.51 vs 15.86 ± 5.06). Age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.10, P = .00), hypertension (OR = 1.54, P = .03), and cortisol level (OR = 1.09, P = .00) were independent risk variables for the severity of WMH in individuals with MDD, while low-density lipoprotein (OR = 0.30, P = .04) was a protective factor for the severity of white matter hyperintensity in patients with depression. Plasma cortisol is proposed as an independent risk factor influencing the severity of white matter hyperintensity in individuals with MDD, and ameliorating elevated cortisol levels in these patients may enhance their prognosis.
White matter is the brain's internal network of myelinated nerve fibers (axons) that rapidly transmit signals between different gray matter regions, enabling communication, learning, focus, and complex functions like planning and problem-solving. Composed of axons wrapped in fatty myelin, it appears white and is crucial for high-speed information transfer, but damage to it can cause cognitive impairment and neurological issues, as seen in white matter diseases.
White matter lesions (WMLs) are bright spots seen on brain MRIs, indicating damaged or inflamed white matter, often from small vessel disease, aging, or conditions like MS, vascular issues (hypertension, diabetes), and neurodegenerative diseases, affecting cognitive/motor functions but sometimes asymptomatic, with treatment focusing on the underlying cause.
This is quite new science so it's not known whether the lesions are causing the depression, the other way around, or if a third thing (or things!) is independently causing both. And it also isn't known if this is reversible. Whether it is or not, though, the brain is surprisingly flexible at working around small lesions.
Personally I wouldn't add an extra thing to the list of "consequences of my mental illness that I'm worried about" because of this paper.
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Years ago there was that paper finding that even in descendants of those with depression they experienced cortical thinning without meeting the criteria for depression.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2669378/
Abstract
To examine the relationship between plasma cortisol levels and the severity of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study included 240 patients with MDD who were hospitalized in the Department of Neuropsychology at Hebei General Hospital from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024. General data and plasma cortisol concentrations were obtained. Based on the total score of the Fazekas scale, patients were divided into 3 groups: no/mild group (Fazekas scale total score 0–2 points, 87 participants), moderate group (Fazekas scale total score 3–4 points, 85 participants), and severe group (Fazekas scale total score 5–6 points, 68 participants). The disparities in general and clinical data among various patient groups were compared, and the risk factors for WMH were investigated. Among 3 groups of patients, significant differences were in terms of age (58.23 ± 8.64 vs 63.59 ± 7.62 vs 67.51 ± 7.78), proportion of hypertension (37.90% vs 42.40% vs 67.60%), total cholesterol (4.85 ± 1.06 vs 4.95 ± 1.12 vs 4.53 ± 1.05), low-density lipoprotein (3.00 ± 0.70 vs 3.10 ± 0.81 vs 2.67 ± 0.79), and plasma cortisol level (13.25 ± 4.31 vs 14.36 ± 4.51 vs 15.86 ± 5.06). Age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.10, P = .00), hypertension (OR = 1.54, P = .03), and cortisol level (OR = 1.09, P = .00) were independent risk variables for the severity of WMH in individuals with MDD, while low-density lipoprotein (OR = 0.30, P = .04) was a protective factor for the severity of white matter hyperintensity in patients with depression. Plasma cortisol is proposed as an independent risk factor influencing the severity of white matter hyperintensity in individuals with MDD, and ameliorating elevated cortisol levels in these patients may enhance their prognosis.
White matter lesions (WMLs) are bright spots seen on brain MRIs, indicating damaged or inflamed white matter, often from small vessel disease, aging, or conditions like MS, vascular issues (hypertension, diabetes), and neurodegenerative diseases, affecting cognitive/motor functions but sometimes asymptomatic, with treatment focusing on the underlying cause.
I have them from migraines.
I have them and I thought they were from migraines but now I’m thinking it was from a major MDD episode.
crazy, I'm sorry to hear that.
Can this be reversed some
Going for walks is good for vascular health. Just try to be a bit more active
This is quite new science so it's not known whether the lesions are causing the depression, the other way around, or if a third thing (or things!) is independently causing both. And it also isn't known if this is reversible. Whether it is or not, though, the brain is surprisingly flexible at working around small lesions.
Personally I wouldn't add an extra thing to the list of "consequences of my mental illness that I'm worried about" because of this paper.