25 Years of Breakthroughs: 25-Year Study Links Thinning of Cortex in Brain to Depression Risk

A groundbreaking twenty-five year study shows that there is a correlation between the thinning of the cortex and the development of depression. The cortex is the part of the brain responsible for higher thinking and functioning, located in the right hemisphere. Leading this study was three-time NARSAD Distinguished Investigator, Myrna M. Weissman, Ph.D., Professor of Epidemiology and Psychiatry at the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the School of Public Health at Columbia University and Chief of the Department in Clinical-Genetic Epidemiology at New York State Psychiatric institute. Weissman tracked three generations of families throughout her study to learn as much as she could about the environmental and genetic factors affecting depression.

Read about Dr. Weissman's famous study and other groundbreaking work related to Depression in the 2010 issue of Breakthroughs

The NY Times featured a great article on this research as well

Dr. Weissman was featured on Lifescript.com in an interview about depression and women

Medical News Today also featured a great article about Dr. Weissman and her research

Recovery Story:
A Remarkable Journey - A story about a woman recovering from a long battle with depression. This hopeful and inspiring story shows how NARSAD Grant funding is helping improve lives