So that theory you stated that the shrinking hippocampus is likely a result rather than a cause of depression only applies to people who are not depressed (just stressed out). But if you are already depressed, then it is likely that the shrinkage of the hippocampus during depression will cause more depression?

I believe that to be so --esp in memory and learning skills will be sluggish .

[Matt, I can see that this thought is all consuming for you. Im trying the best way I know how to help you understad this reality of depression.

I think if you understand that depressed people brain because of --prolonged stress-- this will cause and becomes difficult in the way the brain is proccessing thoughts.

This is exactly why depressed people have a repeat pattern of negative thinking. These thoughts make it a harder for depressed people to see more of a postive outcome.

I hope you can sort thru this thought to a better outcome by using the tools --by complying to take meds , get physcial and mental activity,ck cortisol levels etc--- all the other thing we previously talked about.

I understand your reality-- when you said this thought is obsessive to you-- but there is more then depression that shrinks the brain and thats a fact!!

Just would really like you to try your best to overcome this thought. Best Wishes Always!!

Hi Matt
 

I think MG neck has a point. I just finished a good book, and the theme of it was "change your thinking" It isn't easy, but it is the best way to cope with things that bother us. Try to pick up a book when those thoughts happen, and know you are expanding your mind, not shrinking it with reading. I think filling up those worries with something educational would make up for any shrinking you think is going on. I am 61, suppose to be in decline mentally, but for me it isn't happening. I refuse to give in and say as you age, the mind absorbs less. I have read physics the last year, and low and behold I understand it. How come I didn't do that in High school? I think you have a good brain, and it certainly is capabable of expansion. It is up to you Matt, on what you want to fill your mind with. We all care about you. We are in your corner, and want you to feel good about yourself. ginnie:grouphug:

Hi Matt
 

I just wanted to give you a new thought. What if our brain really only regulates like heart beat, blood flow, physical things and we have a totally different part of us that is how we feel, our emotions, personality, our thoughts, who we are. Lets say it is the soul. What if all our brain function was completely knocked out -all memory (this has happened to me by the way) and yet we found we were still able to function with all this brain damage. We could be not depressed, able to feel emotions and think about new and expanded ideas. You are locking yourself in to an obsession my friend. Brain shrinkage? I have a 3mm area of my brain that is receiving no signals. It is shown on MRI. Yet I somehow am okay. Not functioning as actively as I used to but still ok. I also have brain shrinkage that shows on the frontal lobe. Yes I have to take some medications but I am able to MANAGE the condition. You know Einstein proved what I said above about having a separate part that is really us and can function without the brain.
Try to learn to meditate and expand your thinking past these thoughts. When these thoughts come in chuck them out fast just like you would smelly garbage in your house. Picture in your mind you throwing this thought out and every time it comes in chuck it out and think about something positive. You can change your thinking. You have the power. Not your brain. You are the master make your brain behave. Take charge of it. It works for you.
Good luck. I hope this gives you a different perspective.
Brain

Thanks everyone for your support, I am trying my best but wish to talk about this some more.

I have 2 more questions:

1.) I heard that neurogenesis occurs in the hippocampus and that these newly created neurons migrate to other parts of the brain. What parts of the brain receive neurons from the hippocampus?

2.) Does depression kill these newly born neurons that migrate from the hippocampus, or does depression just kill the already-existing ones in the hippocampus (the ones that don't migrate), or does depression kill both?

I think to answer those questions you'd need a researcher or expert ....

example:
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/...on-and-stress/

We have a link at the top right of the page to PubMed. using a good keyword will bring up many many research papers. Some of them have the contact information(emails) to the individuals who are actually doing the research, and those are the folks best qualified to answer some of these more detailed questions.

The research into neuroplasticity is ongoing...and revealing new insights every day.

Hi Matt
 

neurons flow freely in all parts of the brain. When one part doesn't work as great, they find a way around the injury. This is the miracle of the brain. You can do more than you think you can. ginnie:hug:

[Matt---Mrs D link --is a good article.

I will try again to answers your ? but you need to understand more about the brain its to complex-- to teach so you should do more research.

Regarding your first ?--Most of the brains neurons over 90% are located in the cerebral cortex. That part of the brain is divided into --4 lobes --the frontal lobe,parietal lobe,temporal lobe,and the occipital lobe. You can research all there functions. To get to the point Hippocampus is located in the medial temporal lobe inside this lobe is region of the brain known as the --limbic system--. In this system includes hippocampus the amygdala and thlamus,hypothalamus, epithalamus--most have to do with the the processing of memory simply put. To answer your question you need to really understand the brain and its functions. Example --hippocampus is important in memory function short--and long term and behavior. The amgdala prcoccess of memory and emotional reactions and impulses. It effects the medial temporal lobe --but most important hippocampus which is all a part of the limbic system. Which I think is your answer to your ?--- is the Limbic system.
Your 2nd ? ---I already think I have explained this too--- based on what been studied so far---that skringae is likely the effect of long term untreated (chronic depression) rather then the cause. This shrikange has shown to have changed and improved with treatment. This is all that has been understood --more studies are being done.

[Matt --have you been diagnosed with anything more then depression.?

The reason I ask Matt is I have a feeling your are extremly intellegent-- and have this obsessive thought or fear of losing your intellegence in time?

Please feel free to correct me if im wrong Thanks!