A New Approach to Depression | Professor Edward Bullmore | RSA Replay

Professor Edward Bullmore, professor of psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, visits the RSA to reveal the game-changing new science on the link between depression and inflammation of the body and brain. He explains how and why we now know that mental disorders can have their root cause in the immune system, and outlines a future revolution in which treatments could be specifically targeted to break the vicious cycle of stress, inflammation and depression.

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[DJShearer]

Just started reading this guys book, but I have to say, his response to the question about diet has put me off going any further with it. The question asked was a bit silly however, as the main dietary intervention for inflammation would be to remove inflammatory foods, not throw a load of Curcumin into your body, hoping it will counter act the effects of all the other crap going in. I personally have cured my own depression, anxiety, insomnia, and intrusive thoughts with a paleo/keto/low carb approach to eating. The removal of grains, milk, and refined sugars brought the most benefits. It's not about 'super foods', or what you DO eat, it's about what you AVOID.

[mariademers]

My mind was blown listening to this. I thank you for this eye opening learning experience. Long time sufferer here.

[somecuriosities]

More of this kind of thing please RSA! Excellent talk.

[icareyou]

Professor Bullmore is a mesmerizing lecturer. I could listen to him for hours. It's sad that it's 2019 and we still don't understand depression or obesity.

[XCoworking]

It's extremely frustrating that the sound is so low on this recording! I'm very interested, but I'm struggling to understand what he's saying & I'm giving up at the 10 minute mark

[MayaBDoyle]

So hard to hear him. They needed to turn his microphone up.

[lizdennis]

I am already depressed, suicidal, and I had to survive that introduction? WTF?

[ccsg]

He mentioned the immune system has a memory like an elephant, if you had a vaccination for small pox you will have a life long immunity. My question: in a social situation that causes infliction via stress whether because of family or social isolation, what is the body inflamed against? or is the inflammation the cause of the damage? where is the physical damage that enacts an immune response? because to me it seems the immune system has a memory spanning generations and what would be the risk in tampering with it? I feel as if we are blind to the unentended consequences.

[psethna]

An inspiring introduction. Every Psychiatrist, Doctor, Therapist and person suffering with Clinical Depression should be made aware of this ground-breaking work.

If supported by further research, this could be one of the most significant breakthroughs in Psychiatry seen in the past 50 years. Depression, (not to be confused with the normal emotion of “sadness”) is one of the most widespread forms of disability of our times. Sadly, and I say this as both a therapist and a sufferer, the illness is often hard to treat with either “therapy” or standard antidepressants.

The inflammatory model brings together what is observed biologically and socially in terms of traumatic childhood events and ongoing life stressors (which via increased inflammation) may act as triggers for depression. It is also commendable that professor Bullmore has acknowledged the possible role of the Microbiome as another contributory factor in terms of fuelling inflammation.

Dr Bullmore’s presentation was clear, extremely measured and cautious. Nevertheless, like him, I hope this will lead to new treatments and diagnostic criteria within a generation or so.

Thank you Professor Bullmore for the work you are doing.

[sweetsweetsleep...]

I just started Ketamine infusion therapy for long time deep depression and inflammatory pain issues. I'm happy to say that after the 2nd infusion the depression is completely gone and pain issues mostly gone. It's been several days after the 3rd infusion and it hasn't returned. I have been depressed most of my life and it is a miracle to feel good. I have 3 more infusions to go and I see a bright future in my life. Expensive? Yes. But worth every penny! This proved to me the theory that depression is an inflammatory process.

[jochem]

That guy in the beginning really went great lenghts to talk about him meeting Obama and Bush lol

[DrAlexVasquezICHNFM]

My goodness what a rambling introduction. I wonder if he read my 2016 book on brain inflammation before he delivered his 2018 presentation

[gabinetpsychoterapiirazem]

Interesting lecture giving insight into new and exciting approach to understanding depression. I've heard before about conservation of energy hypothesis and similarity in behavioral symptoms of depression and inflammation in primates. It's great to get some extra insight. Now I'm considering picking up 'inflamed mind' book.

[PSIPSI]

I applaud the fact that the lecturer owned up to being an employee of GSK.The lecturer seemed unaware that the malaise that frequently accompanies illnesses has been recognised and documented by doctors for many, many decades. Over the last couple of decades though, malaise has been rebranded as depression thereby opening up a vast new market for GSK et al. However from this lecture we can glean that the effectiveness of antidepressants on these patients is underwhelming - probably because most do not have a depressive illness. I do agree that the new technique of investigating the activity of genes and correlating it to unwellness and its improvement is fascinating in its potential and may yield effective interventions. And like some commenters, I would not be surprised if diet (including avoiding refined sugar) is discovered to be very important.

[carloscontreras]

Very interesting talk. They need derivatives of Wellbutrin.

[chantalvanstaden]

It sounds almost spot on, i strugle with allergies and allergy medz usually affects my mood ec....and drops my blood pressure too. Often I have inflamation because of back cussions moved. But then I also have to admit my hormones and dna have a lot to do with it. Recently my Mom and grandma admitted they had breakdowns at 35. But could it be that my Father made me believe Im never good at anything - childhood.

I used to be on serdep, I felt like a zombi and later side effects happen like headaces and light hurt my eyes.

Currently Im on Venlor. But I do have weekly dips regarding feeling depressed.

[bartakin]

FIND OUT WHAT YOUR CAUSE IS..IS IT SITUATIONAL YOUR SURROUNDED BY NEGATIVE INPUT..IS IT A BRAIN MALFUNCTION ...GET A BRAIN SCAN..GUARD AGAINST HARMING THE SELF FEELINGS CHANGE AND YOU ARE OF GREAT VALUE AND LOVED BY SOMEONE...REACH OUT TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH...

[nadiaiqbal]

At about 43:43 a man in the audience asks about “kerkamine”. He mentions that there are cultures that eat a lot of it and it’s proven to reduce inflammation. What is this? I’m obviously spelling it wrong as I’m not getting any google results for it.

[averymayhem]

I'm shocked to see he has no knowledge on nutritional compounds, such as curcumin. There is a large body of quality evidence to support anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin - specifically interleukin-6 and COX-2. I don't doubt something like curcumin would significantly impact the microbiome but it's hard to imagine Ed wouldn't have a basic understanding of curcumins mechanism of actions beyond this. It could be used for his kind of interests, just as the engineer suggested... This very example is why we are so far behind in understanding key elements needed to draw accurate conclusions. I haven't read his book yet and was very excited about it but seeing this leaves me reluctant to say the least.

[GnosisMan]

What's the cause of inflammation at such a young age? And what about existential depression? would that cause the inflammation?