08/08/2025
This is how ketamine therapy helps . It affects glutamate. This inhibition can lead to an increase in the release of glutamate in certain brain regions.
A major breakthrough in brain science is shedding new light on the biology behind depression. Using advanced imaging, researchers have found that people with major depressive disorder have significantly lower levels of glutathione, a key antioxidant, in the occipital cortex of the brain. Glutathione acts as a cellular shield, protecting neurons from oxidative stress, a damaging process linked to a wide range of health problems.
The discovery is surprising: while depression is usually connected to emotional brain regions, it’s the occipital cortex responsible for visual processing that shows the most profound glutathione deficit. The study, which analyzed data from eight previous investigations and compared 230 depressed individuals to 216 healthy controls, highlights an area of the brain previously overlooked in mental health research.
This new understanding could pave the way for innovative therapies targeting the brain’s antioxidant systems, not just neurotransmitters. By boosting glutathione or enhancing the brain’s defense against oxidative stress, scientists hope to develop more effective treatments for depression and offer real hope to millions struggling with the disorder.
📍 Source: Glutathione & Depression Imaging Meta-Analysis | Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Studies, 2025
