Project 466588

Depression is a highly prevalent mental health disorder, especially in young adults. Since symptom profiles can vary significantly from one person to the next, it has been suggested that several subtypes of depression exist with distinct neurobiologies. Current treatments like antidepressants are ineffective for some individuals due to our limited understanding of the pathophysiology of depression. One factor that has been consistently associated with the risk for developing depression is exposure to stressful life events. Accordingly, some depressed individuals demonstrate an altered stress and immune response evidenced by increased cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokine release. However, not all individuals show these altered physiological responses. This discrepancy likely stems from how the neurobiological basis for different symptom types differs. The goal of my research project is to better understand the sex- and gender-specific pathophysiology of depression and its different symptoms by focusing on immune system functioning and stress in young adults. To do this, participants will be asked to participate in a 10-minute stress test. Cortisol samples will be taken before and after the test to measure changes in the stress response. Blood samples will also be taken to investigate inflammatory cytokine level changes in response to the stress test. We hope that this research project will help inform more effective treatment options in the future by providing more personalized medicine for individuals with depression.