Brain ‘hyperconnectivity’ linked to depression

Researchers at the University of California-Los Angeles studied the functional connections of the brain in 121 individuals, ages 21-80, who had been diagnosed with depression. They used quantitative electroencephalography to measure the synchronization of brain waves (electrical signals from the brain) to study networks among the different brain regions.

"What our research shows is that the depressed brain appears to be less versatile. It’s connecting all the regions all the time and is not able to shut down those connections in a normal way," says Leuchter, who also directs UCLA’s Laboratory of Brain, Behavior and Pharmacology. "We don’t know whether this hyperconnectivity is responsible for the symptoms."

Among symptoms associated with depression are anxiety, poor attention and concentration, memory issues and sleep disturbances.

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