In regards to my 2nd question right here:

2.) It mentions in this video that the amygdala becomes hyperactive during depression and I'm wondering--can there be moments in depression where a loss of pleasure activity during depression can actually exceed that of the activity gained by the amygdala plus other brain regions in the limbic system that make you depressed/control depressive thoughts?

And also, a 3rd question I have right here:

3.) When a loss of pleasure activity does occur during depression, can there be no additional activity gained by the amygdala and other brain regions in the limbic system that make you depressed/control depressive thoughts as a result of that loss of pleasure?

This is the video right here (that states the amygdala become hyperactive both in the video itself and in the video description):

http://www.thevisualmd.com/health_ce...pression_video

[I think we need to go back over a few things we talked about for understanding ---

amgadala ----process of memory and emotional reactions--we talked about damage with known disease like autism,phobias,anxiety and depression.

so when your speaking of increased hyper activity level amgadala ---were going back to neurotransmitter levels-- ie.. serotonin,dopamine,glutomate etc..

bdnf is good for the brain --but cant be measured .

we know we can measure -- these level --neurotransmitters--we know damage from dd comes from nerurotransmitter imbalance.

So the brain doesn't equally make up for what activity is lost (in this case, the loss of pleasure activity during depression) in other brain areas in the limbic system like the hypothalamus?

The loss of pleasure activity can actually be greater than the combined activity gained by other brain regions in the limbic system during a person's depression?

Hi Matt in trying to answer your ? would mean science would have to be able to measure the brain activity in various areas. To my knowledge has not been done yet to give you a defentive answer your seeking.

As far as the hypothalamus what is known in chronic depressed people some hormones under stress the adrenal axis gets turned on and the releasing factor is (crf)-- what is known is 50% of chronic stress people have raised cortisol levels. Hypothalamus is complex as well but simplfied its our pleasure and pain center.This area also regulates extreme feelings regardless of emotions. Hunger&thirst, but also rage,hostile-happiness,empathy and compassion.

Do we even know if there are such moments during depression where the loss of pleasure activity is not made up for in the hypothalamus and other brain regions in the limbic system just based on measuring cortisol and neurotransmitter levels alone regardless of the fact that we don't have the technology to measure and compare brain activity?

The only thing that i can fine thats comes somewhat close is its a person with depression loses chemicals like serotonin and dopamine at diffrents rates why some lose weight with dep,some gain weight--its all based on the transporter denisty. I found evidence one balance of these levels is achieved pleasure activity increases.

If you google "depression chemical imbalance myth," you'll see that we don't even know if chemicals like serotonin and dopamine even have anything to do with depression.

So if we take these chemicals out of the picture and go by the arguments against these chemicals playing a role in depression, do we even know if there will be such moments during depression as I've stated in my previous post?

34 % of untreated cases of chronic depression MAO-A enzyme breakdown of these chemicals like serotonin and depression was much higher and 50 % chronic dep ppl show with high cortisol ---we know there are many type of depression and factors that why i said it a complex disease---treated muti discip approach ---and the the evidence is show in % of diffrent people with diffrent treatments ---u wouldnt be depressed if we didint show decrease in pleasure activity changing isnt a clear picture ---because its been studied were done with treatments plans in mind,anti dep meds,diets,exercise...etc....shown to improve.

You are very educated on this subject, so is mg. Maybe you could write a book? I don't think it would be a bad Idea for you to write all this down and submit it to a medical journal. ginnie

[Matt--I wanted to say this to you yesterday and im sorry im working on a project and got pulled away. I understand now that you shared you autuism with me and that science being your reality. What im trying to tell you from a science point of view --- is that the science world doesnt have alot of hardcore facts when it comes to depression. It has a ton of good theories which make sense and some are stronger then others. The reason for this-- its because its a complex disease!! Remember when we first talked and I gave you the cancer reference ---it hasnt changed. You can research this and you will find --no hardcore answer. I also understand your fear about losing your intelegence ---what does it mean ---????--- its the ablility to understand and apply knowledge. Depression can make the brain work not as effectivley sometimes--- but it will not make you dumb.!! I really would like to see you try to take this obsessive thought and work it on yourself on seeking out a good treatment plan with your doctors. Take what you have studied in all these theroies and try to map out your own self treatment. Have your blood work checked cortisol levels ,chemical levels, try every known treatment in helping yourself recover. You are very smart Matt!! I wouldnt be suprised to see you overcome this by doing your research on treatments for yourself--- but you def need to work with your Dr assistance.