"Stress-Induced Enzyme Alters Brain and Links to Depression"

Researchers have identified a novel mechanism linking chronic stress to depression, involving the enzyme matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in the blood impacting brain neurons and leading to depression-like behaviors in mice. This discovery opens potential avenues for new depression treatments by targeting MMP-8 and highlights the critical role of the immune system's interaction with the brain in psychiatric disorders, paving the way for clinical studies focused on mind-body integrative care.