Why Do Kids Get Depressed?

Depression, whether in children or adults, is a complex phenomenon that is not yet fully understood. Traditionally it was thought that depression was largely the result of the thoughts and emotions aroused by stressful experiences or chronic life difficulties. While cognitive and emotional reactions to difficult experiences or circumstances are important factors in the onset of episodes of depression research has increasingly pointed to the importance of genetic and biochemical factors as causes of depression.

It is now widely accepted that genetics may predispose a person to depression. Much of the research that supports this conclusion involves comparing rates of depression in identical and fraternal twins that have been reared either apart or together. Higher incidences of depression in twins of both kinds whether or not they share the same environment points to a genetic component of depression. At present, the particular genes that code for depression re unknown.

Brain biochemistry is another important focus of research on the causes of depression. Studies in this area have pointed to imbalances in neurotransmitters, especially dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine, as causes of depression. Research has also indicated that the neurohormone cortisol and the nerve growth factor BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) may play important roles in the etiology of depression. Advances in our understanding of the roles played by biochemical factors are the basis for treatments for depression that involve antidepressant drugs.

One of the reasons why it has proven difficult to arrive at a complete understanding of the causes of depression is that it is very likely that depression results from an interaction among all of these factors.

Dr. Lea Dougherty studies the causes and development of depression in children. Some of her research examines the interaction of genetic and biochemical factors and how they play a role in the early onset of changes in brain structure and function that are related to depression. She is also exploring the relationship between factors such as family environment and the child’s temperament and the biochemical causes of depression. Dr. Dougherty is also working on establishing reliable methods of measuring depression in very young children.

In the Department

fMRI grant proposal funded

A grant proposal submitted by NACS faculty for a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging facility on campus has been funded by the National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation Program. This facility will substantially enhance our ability to conduct cutting edge research in human neuroscience and cognitive science. NACS faculty members come from a variety of departments including Bioengineering, Hearing and Speech, Human Development, Kinesiology, Linguistics, Psychology, and others.

Banneker-Key Scholars

The Banneker-Key Scholarship is the most prestigious and competitive scholarship that the University offers to incoming freshmen. The top tier of awards supplies the full cost of tuition, fees and room and board coupled with a book allowance for four years. The Psychology Department has 9 Banneker-Key Scholars among the incoming freshman class. This raises the total number of Banneker-Key Scholars in the departmenr to 33, more than 1/3 of the 95 Banneker-Key Scholars in all of BSOS.

Upcoming Events

DEC 1

Developmental Job Talk

Dr. Kathleen Corriveau will give a talk entitled "Children's selective trust in informants". Dr. Corriveau is a candidate for the position in the developmental area.