On January 6, the Associated Press reported the findings of a research team from Rockefeller University (USA) and Karolinska Institute (Sweden): A protein found in the brain, known as p11, plays a crucial role in causing depression.
According to the researchers, individuals suffering from depression often experience a deficiency of p11, as this protein is responsible for producing a chemical that affects the brain’s receptor system.
Paul Greengard, a Nobel Prize laureate from Rockefeller University, stated: “We are very excited about these results because, besides identifying the true cause of the disease, it also aids the pharmaceutical industry in developing treatments and methods to combat the illness. Of course, further research is needed to discover other molecules that may also influence the brain’s receptors.” It is noted that, to date, treatments for this condition seem to be merely supportive in terms of neurological and psychological aspects.
Depression is considered a social illness, particularly in developed countries. In the United States alone, approximately 18 million people suffer from this condition. For a long time, stress in daily life has been regarded as a significant contributor to this illness.
