what does depression affect
Three brain structures the hippocampus, amygdala and prefrontal cortex help the brain determine what is stressful and how to respond. The hippocampus stores memories of events and responds to stress hormones in the blood. Many mental disorders, including depression, may cause it to shrink or weaken. In the dentate gyrus, part of the hippocampal formation, new neurons (brain cells) are produced throughout adult life. Repeated stress slows the production of new neurons in the dentate gyrus and may also cause neurons in the hippocampus to shrink.