Brookhaven Hospital: Mental Health Treatment for Behavioral Health Problems, Chemical Dependency, Eating Disorders, Brain Injuries, and Renewal Christian Treatment and Recovery

Wednesday, December 19, 2007 8:39 AM
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR

Depression can lead to bone loss

A recent study revealed that depression can actually cause bone loss and osteoporosis. The study was conducted by scientists at Jerusalem's Hebrew University and used mice as test subjects. The mice were given drugs to create behavior similar to that of depression and, overtime, suffered bone loss, particularly in their vertebrae and hips. However, after the researchers gave the mice antidepressants the bone loss stopped and density actually increased. Depression creates a chemical called noradrenaline through activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which hurts bone building cells. Noradrenaline is blocked through the use of antidepressants reversing bone loss. According to Raz Yirmiya, a professor at Hebrew University, "These findings... for the first time point to depression as an important element in causing bone mass loss and osteoporosis.”

Click here to read an article from Reuters on the subject

Click here to learn about treatment options for depression

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Rolf B. Gainer, Ph.D., Diplomate ABDA, is the Chief Executive Office at Brookhaven Hospital and the Vice President of Rehabilitation Institutes of America. Dr. Gainer has been involved in the design and operation of treatment programs since 1977.

Stephen Harnish, MD is the Medical Director of Brookhaven Hospital. Dr. Harnish is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and is well known in Oklahoma for his informative radio and television appearances.

Aric Thorpe, MHR, is Brookhaven Hospital's Pastoral Liaison Representative. He conducts the quarterly Minister's Lifeline series and provides mental health information to pastors and clergy.

Sarah McGee, BA, serves as the Community Education Provider for Brookhaven Hospital. She provides information on mental health and drug and alcohol treatment to healthcare professionals in Oklahoma and surrounding states.

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