Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Could this be why long-term capitol staffers seem so ornery and depressed?
Could this be why long-term capitol staffers seem so ornery and depressed?
In addition to triggering a depression-like social withdrawal syndrome, repeated social defeat by dominant animals leaves a mouse with an enduring "molecular scar" in its brain that could help to explain why depression is so difficult to cure, suggest researchers funded by NIMH.
In mice exposed to this animal model of depression, silencer molecules turned off a gene for a key protein in the brain's hippocampus. By activating a compensatory mechanism, an antidepressant temporarily restored the animals' sociability and the protein's expression, but it failed to remove the silencers. A true cure for depression would likely have to target this persistent stress-induced scar, say the researchers, led by Eric Nestler, M.D., The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, who report on their findings online in Nature Neuroscience during the week of February 26, 2006.
"Our study provides insight into how chronic stress triggers changes in the brain that are much more long-lived than the effects of existing antidepressants," explained Nestler.
From John Hawks Anthropology Blog
Legislators treat staff like second-class citizens, and that's when they're being treated nicely. Usually, the higher status types in the Legislature brush by lifelong capitol staffers without so much as an acknowledgement. Sometimes, legislators do notice underlings, such as when they're frustrated or needing to have some actual work accomplished. But for the most part, staff is perceived by legislators as a lower life form and treated accordingly.
As the study above shows, this kind of repeated social defeat by dominant animals can lead to devastating depression, social withdrawal, and permanent scarring. Does this remind any of you of anyone? I'm thinking of a particular long-time Finance staffer as the proof, but I'm sure much of the mistreated staff world has the same difficulties. It makes me much more compassionate and understanding of the sour attitudes so prevalent in the capitol corridors.
Some day we should talk about trying to improve the behavior of legislators, but right now I think it's enough to just understand the deep sources of capitol staff anger and depression. What a relief to finally understand. I feel your pain, people. I feel your pain.
