The brain cells meant to help us think and feel better may actually be making depression worse. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide, causing a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable and leading to significant impairments in social and occupational functioning.

Research has shown that immune factors and cells, such as microglial cells, play a crucial role in driving neuroinflammation, which contributes to the development of MDD. However, a team of researchers led by Dr. Gaurav Singhal has shed light on the exact role of astrocytes, a specialized type of glial cell, in neural growth and development.

In their study, published in Neuroprotection, the research team conducted an in-depth review of literature to understand the role of astrocytes in neuroinflammation and MDD. They found that astrocytes are key to maintaining the structural integrity of synaptic junctions between neurons, promoting neurite growth and synapse formation.

However, changes in astrocyte morphology and function were associated with poor synaptic connectivity, contributing to the development of depressive symptoms. The researchers also discovered a critical mechanism involving activated microglia and astrocytes that resulted in sustained neuroinflammation in MDD.

The first step of this mechanism was the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines from activated microglia cells, which induced the secretion of additional inflammatory chemicals from astrocytes, amplifying neuroinflammation. Elaborating on the molecular crosstalk between microglia and astrocytes during MDD, Dr. Singhal explained that increased intracellular calcium levels within astrocytes can induce the release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which triggers a delayed calcium response in microglial cells.

Following multiple cycles of astrocyte-released ATP-based activation, microglial cells eventually undergo apoptosis or programmed cell death. Preclinical studies involving murine models showed that astrocytic lactate dehydrogenase A enzyme is important for maintaining neuronal excitability, and histone lactylation alters gene expression, contributing to astrocyte-driven neuroinflammation.

This study highlights the molecular mechanisms underlying astrocytic dysfunction, where astrocytes switch from a neuroprotective role to one that promotes neuroinflammation by increasing the expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Understanding these mechanisms can aid in the development of therapeutic approaches to treat depression and other psychiatric disorders.

The study, presented at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting, has made a groundbreaking discovery about the profound impact of weight-loss surgery on patients’ self-esteem. Researchers from Geisinger Medical Center found that within one year of undergoing bariatric surgery, participants experienced a staggering 131% increase in their self-esteem scores.

The study involved a database of 5,749 patients aged 18 and older with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more who had undergone metabolic and bariatric surgery between 2006 and 2019. The participants completed the Impact of Weight Quality of Life (iwQOL) survey before and 12 months after their operation to assess weight stigma and quality of life.

The results showed that self-esteem scores rose from an average of 33.6 to 77.5, a more than 40-point increase on a scale from 0 to 100. The study also found that the amount of weight loss was directly correlated with the increase in self-esteem, regardless of demographics such as gender, age, and race or type of bariatric procedure.

Justin Dhyani, MD, a co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of understanding weight stigma and psychosocial factors associated with obesity. “While these factors should not dictate the decision to have bariatric surgery, they should be an important part of the conversation,” he said.

Ann M. Rogers, MD, FACS, FASMBS, President of ASMBS, added that weight stigma is a serious issue that places an extra psychological burden on patients struggling with obesity. “This study shows we need to understand what patients are going through and be supportive and empowering of them as they navigate their health and make decisions about treatment,” she said.

The findings of this study have significant implications for the holistic care of patients with obesity, highlighting the importance of addressing weight stigma and psychosocial factors in conjunction with medical treatment. By providing supportive and empowering care, healthcare professionals can help patients achieve a better quality of life and overcome the challenges associated with obesity.

A groundbreaking clinical trial has revealed that a single dose of psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in mushrooms, can provide sustained reductions in depression and anxiety in individuals with cancer suffering from major depressive disorder. The findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal CANCER, suggest that this treatment approach may offer long-term relief for cancer patients struggling with depression.

The study involved 28 participants who received psychological support from a therapist prior to, during, and after receiving a single 25-mg dose of psilocybin. Two years later, a significant proportion of these individuals demonstrated lasting reductions in depression and anxiety. Specifically:

* 53.6% (15 patients) showed a sustained reduction in depression.
* 50% (14 patients) experienced remission from depression as well as reduced anxiety.
* 42.9% (12 patients) reported reduced anxiety at the two-year mark.

Building on these promising results, an ongoing randomized, double-blind trial is currently evaluating up to two doses of 25 mg of psilocybin versus placebo for treating depression and anxiety in cancer patients. This study aims to determine whether repeating the treatment can resolve depression for more than half of the participants.

According to lead author Manish Agrawal, MD, from Sunstone Therapies, “One dose of psilocybin with psychological support has a long-term positive impact on relieving depression for as much as 2 years for a substantial portion of patients with cancer. If randomized testing shows similar results, this could lead to greater use of psilocybin to treat depression in patients with cancer.”