New research from Zurich shows: stress is really that unhealthy

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When we are stressed, a certain enzyme from immune cells enters the brain. According to a new study from Zurich, it affects certain nerve cells. In mice, this leads to behavioral changes: they withdraw and avoid social contact.

This newly discovered link between mind and body in stress-related mental illness could lead to new treatments for depression, a statement from the University of Zurich (UZH) said on Wednesday.

In the study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature, the research team led by UZH showed that the level of the enzyme MMP8 in the blood increases in stressed mice. “We also found the same change in patients with depression,” said lead author Flurin Cathomas, according to a statement from UZH. This shows that the results are also relevant to humans.

Mice behaved like depressed people

In the mice, the researchers also found that during stress, more so-called monocytes migrated to the brain – especially to the area of ​​the brain’s reward center. Monocytes belong to the group of white blood cells and are part of the innate immune system. They produce the enzyme MMP8.

The affected mice then behaved in a similar way to depressed humans. In the study, the researchers showed that the MMP8 enzyme is actually responsible for the behavioral change by removing the MMP8 gene in some mice. These mice did not change their behavior despite stress.

In human studies, the researchers now want to gain more insight into the interaction between the brain, the immune system and the psyche. However, many more studies are needed before the results can be implemented in clinical practice, according to the UZH. (SDA)

Source:Blick