Summary: Researchers Found Correlation Between Pupillary Response and Depression
Researchers observed a distinct correlation between pupillary response and the severity of depression. They found that healthy individuals’ pupils dilated in anticipation of a reward during a task, while this response was notably subdued in those with depression, especially in patients experiencing listlessness. This reduced pupillary reaction, indicative of decreased activation in the locus coeruleus, sheds light on the physiological aspects of depression.
Key Facts
- Depressed patients show a reduced pupillary response to rewards, linking to lower activation in the locus coeruleus, a key brain structure.
- Pupillometry’s reliable findings in depression can aid in developing personalized treatment strategies, including the selection and dosing of antidepressants.
- The study reinforces the importance of understanding depression’s physiological mechanisms for improving treatment outcomes, especially for the 30% of patients unresponsive to current medications.
Source: Max Planck Institute
Scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry measured the pupillary reaction of participants while they were solving a task. In healthy participants, the pupils dilated during the task in anticipation of a reward, but this reaction was less pronounced in participants with depression.
“The reduced pupil reaction was particularly noticeable in patients who could no longer feel pleasure and reported a loss of energy,” says Andy Brendler, first author of the study. This feeling of listlessness is one of the most common symptoms of depression.
This finding could help us to understand the physiological mechanisms behind listlessness better,” explains research group leader Victor Spoormaker.
Credit: Neuroscience News
Among other things, the pupillary reaction is a marker for activity in the locus coeruleus, the brain structure with the highest concentration of noradrenergic neurons in the central nervous system.
“The reduced pupillary response in patients with more listlessness indicates that the lack of activation of the locus coeruleus is an important physiological process that underlies the feeling of listlessness,” says Spoormaker.
Original Research: Open access.”Assessing hypo-arousal during reward anticipation with pupillometry in patients with major depressive disorder: replication and correlations with anhedonia” by Victor Spoormaker et al. Scientific Reports
About this depression research news
Author: Victor Spoormaker Source: Max Planck Institute Contact: Victor Spoormaker – Max Planck Institute
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Personal Opinion
As a psychiatrist, it is fascinating to see the potential correlation between pupillary response and depression severity. This finding may lead to more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans, ultimately improving outcomes for patients struggling with depression.
Dr Eleanor Anderson, MD, Cure of Mind