28/02/06 Stress 'may cause depression and Alzheimer's'
STRESS may be the cause of depression and Alzheimer's disease in old age, researchers at Edinburgh University have found.
For the first time, researchers have identified an area of the brain which shrinks in old age to cause depression and Alzheimer's disease.
The scientists now believe they may have the key to new treatments, as they think that the shrinkage of a region of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex may be caused by high levels of stress hormones.
Lead researcher Dr Alasdair MacLullich said:
"The discovery deepens doctors' understanding of ageing, depression and Alzheimer's diseases, and will help in the development of treatments based on reducing high levels of stress hormones."
From (news.scotsman.com)