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Websites are reporting

Research shows your brain physically ages faster when you're depressed

Sources 1 2 3

I wonder how exact that research can be, when including such vague (as in: Surely not easily quantifiable?) ideas as brain age and depression.

It seems the source of this "news" is a 2004 study discussing depression and physical symptoms. Maybe there has been a follow up concentrating on the "aging faster" part of the claim?

npst
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    By "aging faster" they might mean that the brains of people with depression show physical traits usually only present in older people, not necessarily "you're 30 but your brain is 47" – TheWanderer Aug 28 '19 at 18:57
  • That would certainly be an interesting correlation – npst Aug 28 '19 at 20:00
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    Your second link cites several papers: John, A. et. Al. (2018) Affective problems and decline in cognitive state in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Perry, V. H. (2018) Microglia and major depression: not yet a clear picture. Cepeda, M. S. et. Al. (2016) Depression Is Associated With High Levels of C-Reactive Protein and Low Levels of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide: Results From the 2007-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Magouirk, B. et. Al. (2012) C-Reactive Protein is Related to Memory and Medial Temporal Brain Volume in Older Adults. – Bryan Krause Aug 28 '19 at 20:16

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