Depression
Searching for the roots of depression
Each year, an estimated 280 million people worldwide experience depression. Depression differs from the usual ups and downs that are part of everyday life. It is caused by a complicated mix of psychological, social and biological factors that vary from person to person. There are many types of depression, but they share several common symptoms, including a sustained feeling of malaise, loss of interest in daily activities and a lack of energy. Some people may also experience anxiety, trouble sleeping and loss of appetite. Mounting evidence suggests that inflammation may be an important trigger for depression. Depression also is a common symptom in many diseases, including Parkinson’s.
Research at VAI investigates the underpinnings of depression and suicidality, with a special focus on pregnancy-related depression, depression in Parkinson’s disease, and development of a blood test for diagnosing severe depression.
The toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 and may be reached at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
By the numbers
Depression
280M
People worldwide experience depression each year*
14%
The percentage of Kent County, Mich., residents who reported 14+ poor days of poor mental health a month in 2020**
13%
The percentage of pregnant women and recent mothers who experience depression***
VAI scientist studying depression
Lena Brundin, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science
Behavioral Medicine
Biography
Dr. Lena Brundin earned her Ph.D. in neurobiology and her M.D. from Lund University, Sweden, where she specialized in clinical psychiatry and later attained the rank of associate professor. In 2012, she joined Van Andel Institute and Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in Grand Rapids, Mich. She is currently a professor in the Institute’s Department for Neurodegenerative Science.
Dr. Brundin’s research spans basic and clinical research, and focuses on the role of inflammatory mediators in psychiatric and neurological conditions, particularly the effects of the kynurenine metabolic pathway in depression and Parkinson’s disease. Her studies were among the first to indicate a role for inflammatory cytokines in suicidality, a finding that one day may help develop biomarkers for depression and suicide risk. She is currently the principal investigator on an R01-funded clinical trial that investigates the role of the kynurenine pathway in depressive patients with suicide risk. She also analyzes the potential of these metabolites as biomarkers and modulators of disease progression in Parkinson’s disease, funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Further, she pursues studies aimed at identifying triggers of these disorders, such as bacterial, parasitic and viral infections.
Recent Publications
* Co-first authors# Co-corresponding authors
Sources
*World Health Organization. 2021. Depression. https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
**Brummel, M. 2020. Kent County Community Health Needs Assessment. https://accesskent.com/Health/CHNA/pdf/FINAL-2020-CHNA-REPORT.pdf
***Office on Women’s Health. 2021. Depression during and after pregnancy. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/depression-during-and-after-pregnancy