Genes Linked to Neuronal Communication Altered in Depression Patients' Immune Cells
Researchers at the University of São Paulo have discovered that certain genes linked to neuronal communication are altered in the immune cells of patients with depression. This finding, published in Scientific Reports, highlights the systemic nature of depression, suggesting that it affects the entire body, not just the brain. The study analyzed data from over 3,000 blood samples and identified changes in gene expression in white blood cells of patients with major depressive disorder. These genes, traditionally associated with synapses, participate in immune and inflammatory pathways, potentially paving the way for blood tests to detect depression. 
