Exploring the brain-body connection between depression in teens and heart disease

New research from SickKids hospital in Toronto is strengthening the connection between the brain and the body by showing that major depression in youth is associated with cardiovascular disease risk later in life.

This new research, led by Dr. Daphne Korczak, a CIHR-funded psychiatrist, aims to “narrow down the mechanism of association between depression and cardiovascular disease.” The study involved 240 kids between 12 and 17 years of age.

“While we know that at a population level, adolescents with depression are at greater risk for premature heart disease in adulthood, we have not yet identified which adolescents exactly are at increased risk. We are interested in figuring out whether there are early indicators of cardiovascular disease risk we might be able to detect in adolescence, and if there are, whether that might give us some insights into how we might be able to intervene early,” says Dr. Korczak of her study’s research questions.

The major hurdle of the study, other than COVID-19 interrupting it, was the “heterogeneity of depression,” explains Dr. Korczak. “The way that children and youth present with respect to depression symptoms and the way they respond to treatment can be quite different between individuals.”

The study accounted for four factors: blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index (BMI) and severe depression. Dr. Korczak found that adolescents with depression had higher blood pressure and cholesterol, and an increased risk of heart disease regardless of their current weight.

Dr. Korczak hopes that clinicians will take her findings and integrate cardiovascular health care into depression care for youth.

“This was an exciting and novel study,” says Dr. Korczak. “It strengthens the association between depression and cardiovascular issues.”

What comes next in the unfolding story of the brain and body is still to be written.

“Bridging the brain-body gap is an exciting space for new scientists and clinician trainees,” says Dr. Korczak. “There is a lot of room to add to current knowledge and make contributions to advance science in this area.”

At a glance

Issue

The connection between mental and physical health is still a grey area and an important area of study considering that cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in Canada.

Research

Dr. Korczak’s study has identified an association between depression and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. Her study will hopefully encourage psychiatrists to also consider heart health as part of depression care.