Spirituality And Religion May Protect Against Major Depression By Thickening Brain Cortex

Although more research is necessary, the results suggest that spirituality or religion may protect against major depression by thickening the brain cortex and counteracting the cortical thinning that would normally occur with major depression. The study, published on Dec. 25, 2013, is the first published investigation on the neuro-correlates of the protective effect of spirituality and religion against depression.

“The new study links this extremely large protective benefit of spirituality or religion to previous studies which identified large expanses of cortical thinning in specific regions of the brain in adult offspring of families at high risk for major depression,” Miller said.

Previous studies by Miller and the team published in theAmerican Journal of Psychiatry (2012) showed a 90 percent decrease in major depression in adults who said they highly valued spirituality or religiosity and whose parents suffered from the disease. While regular attendance at church was not necessary, a strong personal importance placed on spirituality or religion was most protective against major depression in people who were at high familial risk.

Miller is also affiliated with the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University. Her co-authors were Ravi Bensal at the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI); Priya Wickramaratne at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia and NYSPI; Xuejun Hao and Bradley S. Peterson, M.D. at the College of Physicians and Surgeons and NYSPI; Craig E. Tenke at NYSPI; and Myrna M. Weissman at the College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Contacts and sources:
Lisa Miller
Teachers College, Columbia University