BodyLab Podcast - Melancholia - Dr Phil Mosley

Discover how QIMR Berghofer researchers are revolutionising the diagnosis of melancholia, a severe form of depression, through innovative analysis of facial expressions and brain activity.

This episode delves into the ground breaking study led by Dr Philip Mosley and offers new hope for those struggling with treatment-resistant depression.

Dr. Mosley explains the significance of "flattening" or "blunting" in melancholia patients and how this manifests in their facial expressions and brain responses to positive stimuli. We'll explore the potential impact of this research on personalised treatment pathways and discuss future directions, including the possibility of neuromodulation therapies.

This episode highlights the critical message that not all depression is the same and emphasises the need for tailored approaches to mental health care.

Join us as we uncover the latest advancements in understanding and treating melancholic depression, bringing hope to patients and their families affected by this challenging condition.

#Depression #melancholicdepression #mentalhealthresearch #QIMRBerghofer #depressiondiagnosis #personalisedmedicine

00:00 Melancholia form of depression
00:29 Dr Phil Mosley - What inspired this study?
01:20 Different types of depression
02:11 What are the subtypes of depression?
07:23 The design of the study and how it might change things for people with Melancholia
13:00 The findings of the depression study
15:56 The emotional movie viewing results from the study - clear difference in brain regions
17:10 Next steps for this research into Melancholia
19:04 How to seek help with Melancholia
21:00 Deep brain stimulation
21:50 Coming out of Melancholia