Beyond neurons: A new approach to decipher depression

Research conducted by Caroline Ménard and her team indicates that depression is a whole-body issue requiring a comprehensive approach to understand its full complexity. While most traditional treatments for depression primarily target neurons, they demonstrated that inflammation–the body’s natural response to illness, injury, or harmful agents–affects not only specific brain regions associated with depression but also various cell types beyond neurons.

By studying stress, Ménard’s team uncovered that its impact goes far beyond the brain, influencing the blood-brain barrier, immune system, gut barrier, and microbiome. Their research identified new biomarkers linked to disease vulnerability and stress resilience, offering potential early warning signs for mental illness. Notably, they also discovered key biological differences between genders.

Towards precision medicine

These findings confirm a growing understanding: depression is manifested differently in each individual. With 30% to 50% of those affected by depression globally not responding to conventional treatments, there is an urgent need for more tailored, personalized approaches. Mental illness remains a critical concern in northern communities, where four out of ten Nunavummiut experience clinically significant depressive symptoms (Muckle et al., 2020). Customized treatment holds particular promise for this population, which face unique stressors–such as socioeconomic, environmental, and cultural changes–that can profoundly impact their overall health.

Ménard’s team’s breakthroughs mark a crucial step toward detecting susceptibility to mental illness and monitoring treatment responses. By leveraging precision medicine—an approach that customizes treatment based on individual characteristics—they are advancing a more effective method for treating brain disorders, including depression. This innovative strategy considers each patient’s unique biological makeup, paving the way for more targeted and impactful interventions.