How does the environment affect our brains and mental health? Can constant but subtle stress be just as harmful as major life shocks? These and other questions will be explored during the international symposium “EnviroMood”, taking place on 14 May at the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center.
According to one of the event organizers, Prof. Urtė Neniškytė, increasing attention is being paid not only to biological factors, but also to environmental influences shaping mental health.
“When we talk about the environment, it is not only about trees or asphalt. The environment consists of many components: the people around us, our relationships, the way we are treated, whether we have a job, and how things are going for us. In other words, it is our entire everyday life, constantly affecting us even if we do not notice it,” the researcher explained.
Unpredictability as a Risk Factor
One research area focuses on the effects of unpredictable environments. Scientists have found that constant uncertainty can strongly affect emotional well-being.
Animal studies use models in which the environment becomes unpredictable: small but constantly changing disturbances induce long-term stress.
“An animal never knows what will happen next. It is precisely this unpredictability, rather than only a strong negative stimulus, as one might assume, that induces depression-like symptoms,” the scientist explained.
According to her, long-term “minor” stress may be no less harmful than isolated but severe traumatic experiences.
Depression Is More Than a “Chemical Imbalance”
The “EnviroMood” symposium places particular emphasis on neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to change and adapt. According to the researcher, this ability is closely linked to depression.
“It is well known that depression is associated with reduced neuroplasticity. We observe this both behaviourally and at the molecular level,” said Prof. Urtė Neniškytė.
In other words, the brain becomes less flexible, making it more difficult to adapt to change, which may deepen psychological difficulties.
New-Generation Therapies for Depression
The symposium will also discuss emerging approaches to depression treatment. As traditional antidepressants are not always effective, increasing attention is being given to alternative methods and to understanding how brain plasticity can be influenced.
Researchers seek answers on multiple levels – from patients to animal models and even individual neurons. “We use what is known as reverse translation – starting from what we observe in humans, then modelling it in animals and cells in order to understand the underlying mechanisms,” explained Urtė Neniškytė.
Such an approach not only helps researchers better understand depression but also contributes to the development of more precise treatment strategies.
Among the promising approaches are esketamine and psilocybin. Research suggests that, when combined with psychotherapy, they may significantly relieve symptoms over extended periods.
Discussing Depression With Scientists, Specialists, and the Public
The symposium is intended for members of the scientific community and specialists, but its topic is equally relevant to the wider public. Therefore, on 14 May, some of the scientists participating in “EnviroMood”, together with other representatives of Vilnius University, will meet with the public during a Vilnius University Discussion Club event at the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania. Visitors will have the opportunity to hear expert insights and ask questions.