Neuroanatomical Correlates of Religious or Spiritul Beliefs Associated With Less Risk for Major Depression

A recent article by L. Miller, PhD et al in JAMA Psyhiatry [2014;71(2):128135] reported on their previous 10 year prospective study of adult children who had a parent with major depression, showing that they had a 90% reduced risk for depression if they stated that religion or spirituality was important to them. The reduced risk was most prominent in the higher risk group and represented a reduced risk of recurrence of depression vs reduced risk of the onset [first episode]. This same group of investigators had previously [J Amer Acad Adolesc Psychiatry 1997; 36:1416-1425] reported that women with a depressed parent were more than 90% less likely to experience a depression if they reported that religion or spirituality was important to them. In addition, they reported on results of a metanalysis of 147 studies showing an inverse relationship between religious beliefs and depression. This was also found with the elderly and it was clear how their religious beliefs helped them cope with stress and they utilized mental health treatment more consistently. It was pointed out that in any given year, almost one fourth of those seeking mental health services were referred by clergy!

Also, L. Miller, PhD had previously reported imaging results showing large areas of cortical thinning on the lateral surface of the right hemisphere for adults with depression. This study investigated whether those peopole who reported strong religious or spiritual beliefs besides a 90% reduced risk of depression also had reduced or no cortical thinning. They found that religious and spiritual beliefs were coorelated with thicker cortices and the researchers wondered if this was what protected these people from experiencing a major depression.

So, it seems clear that having self-reported strong religious or spiritual beliefs will protect you from having depression and your brain will not show cortical thinning. Is it really possible that religious or spiritual beliefs can cause our brains to have thicker cortices or protect us from the thinning that can occur related to experiencing a major depression? What do you think?