The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation recently highlighted the work of Jonathan Savitz, Ph.D. in their report on "Immune System Chemicals Linked to a Depression Symptom". Dr. Savitz is a 2009 NARSAD Young Investigator grant recipient. In the featured study, published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, patients with depression had fewer neuroprotective kynurenine metabolites in the blood relative to neurotoxic metabolites, and the lower proportion correlated with smaller sizes of the amygdala and hippocampus in depressed patients, structures that help regulate emotional processing and consolidate memories. Click here to learn more: |