Multiple biological pathways involving organs and the brain play a key role in physical and mental health, according to a new study from UCL, the University of Melbourne and the University of Cambridge.
The study, published in Nature Mental Healthanalyzed UK Biobank data from more than 18,000 people. Of these, 7,749 had no clinically significant diagnosed health or mental health conditions, while 10,334 reported a diagnosis of either schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety.
Using advanced statistical models, the researchers found a significant correlation between poorer organ health and higher depressive symptoms, and that the brain plays an important role in linking body health and depression.
Organ systems studied included the lungs, muscles and bones, kidneys, liver, heart, and the metabolic and immune systems.
Dr Ye Ella Tian, lead author of the study from the University of Melbourne’s Department of Psychiatry, said. “Overall, we found several important pathways through which poor organ health can lead to poor brain health, which in turn can lead to poor mental health.
“By integrating clinical data, brain imaging and a wide range of organ-specific biomarkers in a large population-based cohort, we were for the first time able to establish multiple pathways involving the brain as a mediating agent through which poor physical health systems body organs can lead to poor mental health.
“We identified modifiable lifestyle factors that can potentially lead to improved mental health through their impact on these specific organ systems and neurobiology.
“Our work provides a holistic characterization of brain, body, lifestyle and mental health.”
Physical health was also taken into account, as well as lifestyle factors such as sleep quality, diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption.
While it is known in health care that all organs and systems of the body affect each other, it is rarely reflected in research studies. So it’s exciting to see these results as it really highlights the value of combining measures from different parts of the body together.”
Professor James Cole, study author, UCL Computer Science
Professor Andrew Zalesky, author of the study from the Departments of Psychiatry and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Melbourne, said. “This is important work because we have shown the link between physical health and depression and anxiety, and how this is partially influenced by individual changes in brain structure.
“Our results suggest that poor physical health in many organ systems, such as the liver and heart, the immune system, and muscle and bone, can lead to consequential changes in brain structure.
“These structural brain changes can lead to or worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as neuroticism.”
Source:
Journal Reference:
Tian, Y. E. et al. (2024). Brain, lifestyle and environmental pathways linking physical and mental health. Nature Mental Health. doi.org/10.1038/s44220-024-00303-4.
