Using Your Brain to Fight Depression

ALPHARETTA, Ga. - June 7, 2016 - PRLog -- Although depression is one of the most common mental health concerns in the United States, doctors and patients still struggle with identifying effective treatment options. Science has taken leaps and bounds with medical research regarding innovative depression treatments, ranging from new combinations of antidepressant medication to technological treatments such as magnetic stimulation and medications with novel mechanisms of action, but much still needs to be done. A new study in neurogenesis, which many believe treats depression at its source, has shown promise in its Phase I trials. The Institute for Advanced Medical Research is now actively involved in Phase II medical trials and is offering patients whose current depression treatment is not working as well as they had hoped an opportunity to consider participation.

Studies have shown that the brain neurons in those with depression atrophy or become damaged. Prolonged depression is a stressor and the body produces the stress hormone cortisol; cortisol is thought to cause this damage to the neurons. With this new medication, those damaged neurons actually regrow and regenerate, which is the process of neurogenesis. The treatment focuses on shoring up the neurons of the hippocampal area of the brain (where much of our memory and learning is centered). Early studies showed significantly improved behavioral responses and quality of life indicators leaving researchers hopeful that the medication can help those with depression as well as other neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

"I am excited with the pace that science has been advancing with regard to potential new treatments for disorders such as depression," said Dr. Angelo Sambunaris, Founder and Medical Director of the Institute for Advanced Medical Research. "Clinical research on depression is revolutionary at the moment, with innovative new treatments being discovered and tested every day. We are proud of the role that the Institute for Advanced Medical Research plays in bringing new treatments to market."

Those who are interested in learning more about this study, medical research or the work that the Institute is doing, are encouraged to speak with our team by calling 770-817-9200.

About Dr. Sambunaris

Angelo Sambunaris, M.D., is the Founder and Medical Director of the Institute for Advanced Medical Research and clinical faculty member at Mercer University's School of Pharmacy. Dr. Sambunaris directed clinical research for Bayer and Solvay Pharmaceuticals and has led more than 200 neuropharmacological studies. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served as Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Public Health Service while completing his fellowship at NIMH.

About the Institute for Advanced Medical Research

Since 1998, the Institute has been a leader in advancing clinical care through medical research in areas such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, Binge Eating Disorder, Alzheimer's disease, PTSD and addiction. What that means for the community: access to potential new drug therapies and care from a specialist in their disease at no cost to the participant. The team consists of an extensive group of healthcare professionals via their collaboration with various pharmaceutical companies and universities including Harvard, Duke and Medical College of Georgia. Be a medical hero and join them in the fight to combat brain disorders with new pharmacological solutions. For more information, visit http://www.IAmResearch.org or call 770-817-9200.