Scientists Uncover a Connection Between MS Lesions & Depression

[Marco]

- Researchers say lesions on the brain from multiple sclerosis (MS) may be a factor in people with the condition developing depression.
- Experts say at least 50 percent of people with MS will experience depression symptoms sometime in their life. - They add that depression can also affect MS symptoms.

There could be a physical connection in the pathways in the brain that causes the high rate of depression in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). That’s according to a new studyTrusted Source published in the journal Nature Mental Health. Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston located and studied the area in the brain responsible for depression in relation to lesions on the brain from MS. They said they found new connections between MS-related depression and brain lesions as well as damage to brain tissue from MS.

Details from the MS and depression study


The researchers looked at medical data from 281 people with MS.

Using a virtual laboratory, the researchers collected and analyzed MRI data in the study participants’ records.

They specifically looked at the connectome databaseTrusted Source to view the connectivity between MS lesion locations and brain circuitry for depression. A connectome database is a like a large-scale wiring diagram of the human brain.

The researchers said they found significant functional connectivity between MS lesion locations and a depression circuit, which they hope will allow for more targeted treatments. The finding helps to localize MS-related depression in the brain.

MS lesions can appear all over the brain.

Before the study, the scientists assumed the lesions were a factor in MS, unrelated to depression. However, using lesion network mapping and the connectome, they said they could see if both the lesions and depression used the same brain circuit.

In 2021, the same researchers identifiedTrusted Source common brain circuitry between brain lesions from stroke or head trauma and depression.

How depression affects MS Many people with MS also have depression, decreasing their quality of life and increasing the risk of suicide, according to a report issued in 2021. Depression is more prevalent in people with MS than in the general public. “At least 50 percentTrusted Source of people with MS will experience depression or a depressive episode during their life,” says Dr. Barbara Giesser, a neurologist and MS specialist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in California. “Depression in persons with MS is most likely a combination of structural lesions, genetic predisposition, and situational factors, such as reaction to illness,” Giesser told Healthline. “Some medications used to treat MS, notably beta-interferons, have been observed to produce depression as well.” Depression can worsen the symptoms of MS and can increase the risk of premature death and reduce the quality of life and daily functioning. It can also worsen symptoms of fatigue and pain and is associated with decreased medication compliance and, therefore, can increase disease severity and disability. Depressive symptoms can sometimes be a warning sign of MS relapses. Depression, and other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, are underdiagnosed in people with MS, according to Mental Health America.



https://www.healthline.com/health-ne...and-depression

[dm0329]

Thanks, again, for posting such relevant information about the connection between MS & Depression. I had self-injected Avonex for over twenty five years, but this year when I turned age 55 and officially began Menopause, I had it with the shots and switched to Aubagio.

Although Aubagio is so much simpler as a once a day pill, despite transitioning for nearly one year (April 14 2022 to current date --- or ten months) I am still experiencing "mental health issues" (anxiety/depression/bi-polar ish issues?) BUT it's hard to tell if it's the Menopause (mood swings, cycling, etc.) or the MS (even my PCP agreed with me about those issues).

Due to the horrible MS fatigue, I take Modanfinil or lots of coffee LOL to combat this sx, which only makes my mind jumping from one issue to another commonplace sx. I go from downstairs to upstairs and forget what I was looking for.

My neuro explained that it's very much like the psydeau bulbar effect, when due to frontal lobe damage, what you're thinking is blurted out, or you cry or laugh uncontrollably. I say, I was "issued a non-traffic" summons and charged with "disorderly conduct" for blurting out "incompetent ********" at my local grocery store. OMG: I guess that comment hit a nerve with the junior manager, who had his superior store manager, call the local police station on me!

While, with my name published in my local newspaper, when I appeared in front of the Magistrate in court, he DISCHARGED MY CHARGES, and I have the "official paperwork of The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v Donna Lynn ****** on my refridgerator as a HISTORIC scrap-book type moment.

Funny Not Funny!

[Marco]

Oh no! I'm sorry to read your examples, but can both sympathize and empathize with you. Thank you for sharing your struggles with us.

I was once diagnosed with pseudobulbar affect by a psych that spent less than 10 minutes with me. He didn't realize that my reactions were to him being a complete jerk. I have other struggles similar to yours.

I wish you well!