USING LITHIUM BASED MEDICATIONS TO INCREASE GRAY MATTER VOLUME IN DEPRESSED ADOLESCENTS

Authors

  • Chloe Elton Joel Barlow High School, Redding, CT
  • Ms. Gilyard Duke University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47611/jsrhs.v13i1.6202

Keywords:

gray matter, depression, anti-depression treatments, gray matter volume, mental illness, Lithium, Chloe Elton

Abstract

In this paper, the correlation between gray matter and depression will be presented and speculations on the effectiveness of anti-depression treatments will be made. Over time, the gray matter volume in a depressed individual will continue to decrease unless the mental illness is treated. The effectiveness of treatments varies but in terms of halting the decrease of gray matter volume or increasing gray matter volume, medications containing lithium have proven to be the most effective. While an increase in gray matter volume has the potential to increase one's mood some tradeoffs come with taking antidepressants of any sort. Lithium appears to be the most effective component of medications that increase gray matter volume, but it is crucial to examine potential side effects as well as entirely different medications that target different areas of the brain.

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Author Biography

Ms. Gilyard, Duke University

Kristen is currently completing a Ph.D. at Duke. She is a rotating student as a part of the Cognitive Neuroscience Admitting Program. Kristen recently graduated from Harvard University with an A.B. in Neuroscience and Mathematics. Kristen wants to acquire more knowledge about how infants learn specifically how infants create semantic representations. Kristen also enjoys reading, knitting, and bird-watching.

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Published

02-29-2024

How to Cite

Elton, C., & Gilyard, K. (2024). USING LITHIUM BASED MEDICATIONS TO INCREASE GRAY MATTER VOLUME IN DEPRESSED ADOLESCENTS. Journal of Student Research, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.47611/jsrhs.v13i1.6202

Issue

Section

HS Review Articles