Neuroimaging studies have revealed significant changes in brain structure and function in patients with PDD. Research indicates that PDT is associated with decreased activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, an area crucial for planning and decision-making. In addition, hyperactivity is observed in the amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex and insula, regions involved in emotional processing and pain perception.
In addition to brain changes, TDP also appears to be related to changes in immune cells. A study approved by the ethics committee of the Dresden University of Technology demonstrated that TDP can lead to an increase in the deformability of monocytes and neutrophils, key cells in the body’s immune response. This finding suggests that TDP not only affects the brain, but also the immune system, reinforcing the complexity of this condition.
Changes in the immune system may be a result of hyperactivity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), a neuroendocrine system responsible for the stress response. HPA axis hyperactivity, often seen in patients with PDD, leads to increased levels of cortisol, a hormone that can suppress the immune response and increase susceptibility to infections.
In short, PDD is a complex condition involving neuroanatomical and immunological changes. Understanding the biological basis of PDT is critical to developing more effective and personalized therapies that can address both the psychological symptoms and the physiological changes associated with this debilitating condition.
Reference:
RODRIGUES, Fabiano de Abreu Agrela. Neuroanatomy in patients with persistent depressive disorder and immune cell changes. Neuroanatomy, v. 5, no. 1, pp. 212-226, 2022.
