Nearly 20% of U.S. adolescents aged 12 to 17 report suffering a depressive episode in the previous year, more than double the 8% figure in 2006. But when thoughts turn to suicide, intervention is needed — and fast.
Vilma Gabbay, M.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Miller School, seeks to understand what causes depression and the urge for suicide in young people so she can change the direction of anxious young lives.
“Suicide is the second-leading cause of death in this age group,” Dr. Gabbay said. “It’s heartbreaking when young people, who have so much to live for, feel compelled to take such a drastic step. It’s critical that we identify those at risk as early as possible and act to prevent a potential catastrophe.”
Dr. Gabbay is zeroing in on one key factor in depression: anhedonia — the inability to experience pleasure. She has found that anhedonia is tied to a disruption in the brain’s reward system, which itself is linked to feelings of pleasure. Understanding how the reward system works, or doesn’t work, can provide insights into depression and susceptibility to suicide.
Loss of Enjoyment
“Anhedonia refers to loss of enjoyment in activities that were once pleasurable, such as spending time with family and friends, hobbies or social events,” she said. “Our research shows that young people with anhedonia are more likely to struggle with daily activities, suffer longer bouts of depression and are at greater risk for suicide.”
Dr. Gabbay’s research has also found that inflammation, the body’s attempt to fight injury or infection, plays a part in teen depression. Some teens diagnosed with depression have high levels of two immune system molecules (cytokines and kynurenines) in their blood, even when they aren’t sick or injured.
“Our studies found that problems in the reward system of depressed teens frequently appear early in depression, are associated with worse outcomes over time, entail changes in both brain structure and brain chemistry, and are linked to higher levels of inflammation in the body,” Dr. Gabbay said.
“Our research shows that young people with anhedonia are more likely to struggle with daily activities, suffer longer bouts of depression and are at greater risk for suicide.”
