LONDON: A recent study suggests that traditional methods of treating depression may not be effective for patients with depression resulting from a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The research, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, reveals significant differences in the brain circuitry associated with depression in TBI patients compared to those without a history of TBI, leading to distinct challenges in treatment.
Co-led by Dr. Shan Siddiqi, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, the study sheds light on the unique nature of depression in TBI patients. “We have believed for a long time that TBI-related depression is somehow different, but we have never proven it,” said Dr. Siddiqi.
The research benefited from advancements in imaging technology, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of how TBI affects the brain. Prior studies, limited by less sensitive brain imaging technology, overlooked some of the mood-related mental changes resulting from TBI.
Depression Associated with Same Brain Circuits
While the study found that depression in both TBI and non-TBI patients is associated with the same brain circuits, it noted distinct differences in neural activity between the two groups. “This depression is being driven by something different in the brain,” explained Dr. Matthew Peters, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins Medicine, who was also involved in the research.
TBI patients are nearly eight times more likely to experience depression compared to individuals without such injuries. Paradoxically, they are also less likely to receive adequate treatment for their condition. According to Dr. Siddiqi, traditional depression treatments, including medication and psychotherapy, may not be as effective for TBI patients.
The research team suggests that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a therapy that stimulates nerves in the brain, could be a promising alternative for TBI-related depression when conventional methods fail. TMS offers the ability to both activate and deactivate targeted neurons, providing a more focused treatment for overactive or underactive brain circuits.
As researchers continue to explore effective treatment options, Dr. Jesse Fann, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine, emphasizes the need to approach depression following TBI differently from depression in other populations.
