Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Inflammation01:38

Inflammation

61.8K
Overview
61.8K
Long-term Depression01:05

Long-term Depression

33.2K
Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
33.2K
Long-term Depression01:03

Long-term Depression

3.1K
Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over...
3.1K
Freezing Point Depression and Boiling Point Elevation03:12

Freezing Point Depression and Boiling Point Elevation

39.7K
Boiling Point Elevation
The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure is equal to ambient atmospheric pressure. Since the vapor pressure of a solution is lowered due to the presence of nonvolatile solutes, it stands to reason that the solution’s boiling point will subsequently be increased. Vapor pressure increases with temperature, and so a solution will require a higher temperature than will pure solvent to achieve any given vapor pressure, including one...
39.7K
Depressants01:28

Depressants

385
Depressant drugs, including alcohol and sedative-hypnotics, diminish central nervous system activity by enhancing the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that reduces brain activity and promotes relaxation. These substances can have various therapeutic uses but also pose significant risks, especially when misused or combined.
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
385
Depression: Overview01:18

Depression: Overview

815
Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
815

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Neuro-osteo crosstalk: The sympathetic nervous system as a key driver of SCI-induced osteoporosis.

Experimental neurology·2026
Same author

Soft, stretchable conductive hydrogels for high-performance electronic implants.

Science advances·2025
Same author

Acute Opioid Administration Undermines Recovery after SCI: Adverse Effects Are Not Restricted to Morphine.

Journal of neurotrauma·2025
Same author

Extracellular vesicles: Unlocking new therapies for spinal cord injury.

Brain, behavior, and immunity·2024
Same author

Depression-like behavior is associated with deficits in cognition and hippocampal neurogenesis in a subset of spinally contused male, but not female, rats.

Brain, behavior, and immunity·2024
Same author

A moderate spinal contusion injury in rats alters bone turnover both below and above the level of injury with sex-based differences apparent in long-term recovery.

Bone reports·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Stab-Wound Mouse Model for Studying Hemorrhage and Inflammation in Traumatic Brain Injury
04:03

Stab-Wound Mouse Model for Studying Hemorrhage and Inflammation in Traumatic Brain Injury

Published on: February 21, 2025

1.0K

SCI and depression: Does inflammation commandeer the brain?

Kiralyn Brakel1, Michelle A Hook1

  • 1School of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University, Medical Research and Education Building, Ste. 1005, 8447 Riverside Pkwy, Bryan, TX 77807, United States; Texas A&M Institute of Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building, Rm 3148, 3474 College Station, TAMU, TX, United States.

Experimental Neurology
|June 17, 2019
PubMed
Summary

Spinal cord injury (SCI) significantly increases depression risk, not just due to life changes, but also biological factors like inflammation and gut issues. Understanding these biological pathways is key to developing new treatments for SCI-related depression.

Keywords:
DepressionHPA axisInflammationSpinal cord injury

More Related Videos

Individualized rTMS Treatment for Depression using an fMRI-Based Targeting Method
07:12

Individualized rTMS Treatment for Depression using an fMRI-Based Targeting Method

Published on: August 2, 2021

4.1K
Assessment of Long-term Depression Induction in Adult Cerebellar Slices
09:30

Assessment of Long-term Depression Induction in Adult Cerebellar Slices

Published on: October 16, 2019

7.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Stab-Wound Mouse Model for Studying Hemorrhage and Inflammation in Traumatic Brain Injury
04:03

Stab-Wound Mouse Model for Studying Hemorrhage and Inflammation in Traumatic Brain Injury

Published on: February 21, 2025

1.0K
Individualized rTMS Treatment for Depression using an fMRI-Based Targeting Method
07:12

Individualized rTMS Treatment for Depression using an fMRI-Based Targeting Method

Published on: August 2, 2021

4.1K
Assessment of Long-term Depression Induction in Adult Cerebellar Slices
09:30

Assessment of Long-term Depression Induction in Adult Cerebellar Slices

Published on: October 16, 2019

7.3K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Depression incidence is nearly double in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients versus the general population.
  • Traditionally attributed to psychosocial factors, SCI-related depression may also stem from the injury's biological consequences.
  • Inflammation and gut dysbiosis are increasingly recognized as contributors to mood disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the biological mechanisms linking SCI to increased depression risk.
  • To investigate the role of inflammation and gut microbiome alterations in SCI-induced depression.
  • To highlight the need for targeted therapies for depression following spinal cord injury.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on SCI, depression, inflammation, and gut microbiome.
  • Analysis of findings from animal studies and human research on inflammatory cytokines and stress response.
  • Examination of the impact of SCI on neurochemical pathways and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Main Results:

  • Inflammation inherent to SCI can disrupt mental homeostasis, affecting neurotransmitter production (serotonin, dopamine) and the HPA axis.
  • Gut dysbiosis post-SCI can worsen inflammation, further contributing to mood and behavioral changes.
  • Combined biological factors suggest a significant contribution to the high rates of depression after SCI.

Conclusions:

  • The biology of SCI, particularly inflammation and gut dysbiosis, plays a critical role in the development of depression.
  • Current treatments do not specifically address SCI-related depression.
  • Further research into these molecular pathways is essential for developing effective treatments for depression after spinal cord injury.