Jan. 16, 2014 A thickening of the brain cortex associated with regular meditation or other spiritual or religious practice could be the reason those activities guard against depression -- particularly in people who are predisposed to the disease, according to new research led by Lisa Miller, professor and director of Clinical Psychology and director of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute at Teachers College, Columbia University.

The study, published online by JAMA Psychiatry, involved 103 adults at either high or low risk of depression, based on family history. The subjects were asked how highly they valued religion or spirituality. Brain MRIs showed thicker cortices in subjects who placed a high importance on religion or spirituality than those who did not. The relatively thicker cortex was found in precisely the same regions of the brain that had otherwise shown thinning in people at high risk for depression.

Although more research is necessary, the results suggest that spirituality or religion may protect against major depression by thickening the brain cortex and counteracting the cortical thinning that would normally occur with major depression. The study, published on Dec. 25, 2013, is the first published investigation on the neuro-correlates of the protective effect of spirituality and religion against depression.

"The new study links this extremely large protective benefit of spirituality or religion to previous studies which identified large expanses of cortical thinning in specific regions of the brain in adult offspring of families at high risk for major depression," Miller said.

Previous studies by Miller and the team published in the American Journal of Psychiatry (2012) showed a 90 percent decrease in major depression in adults who said they highly valued spirituality or religiosity and whose parents suffered from the disease. While regular attendance at church was not necessary, a strong personal importance placed on spirituality or religion was most protective against major depression in people who were at high familial risk.

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Spirituality, religion may protect against major depression by thickening brain cortex

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Newswise NEW YORK, NY A thickening of the brain cortex associated with regular meditation or other spiritual or religious practice could be the reason those activities guard against depression particularly in people who are predisposed to the disease, according to new research led by Lisa Miller, professor and director of Clinical Psychology and director of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute at Teachers College, Columbia University.

The study, published online by JAMA Psychiatry, involved 103 adults at either high or low risk of depression, based on family history. The subjects were asked how highly they valued religion or spirituality. Brain MRIs showed thicker cortices in subjects who placed a high importance on religion or spirituality than those who did not. The relatively thicker cortex was found in precisely the same regions of the brain that had otherwise shown thinning in people at high risk for depression.

Although more research is necessary, the results suggest that spirituality or religion may protect against major depression by thickening the brain cortex and counteracting the cortical thinning that would normally occur with major depression. The study, published on Dec. 25, 2013, is the first published investigation on the neuro-correlates of the protective effect of spirituality and religion against depression.

The new study links this extremely large protective benefit of spirituality or religion to previous studies which identified large expanses of cortical thinning in specific regions of the brain in adult offspring of families at high risk for major depression, Miller said.

Previous studies by Miller and the team published in the American Journal of Psychiatry (2012) showed a 90 percent decrease in major depression in adults who said they highly valued spirituality or religiosity and whose parents suffered from the disease. While regular attendance at church was not necessary, a strong personal importance placed on spirituality or religion was most protective against major depression in people who were at high familial risk.

Miller is also affiliated with the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University. Her co-authors were Ravi Bensal at the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI); Priya Wickramaratne at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia and NYSPI; Xuejun Hao and Bradley S. Peterson, M.D. at the College of Physicians and Surgeons and NYSPI; Craig E. Tenke at NYSPI; and Myrna M. Weissman at the College of Physicians and Surgeons.

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Spirituality and Religion May Protect Against Major Depression By Thickening Brain Cortex

Customers wait in line in to buy an IPhone at Jordan Landing in West Jordan, Utah.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

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Technology and religion are continuing to find new ways to interact with each other.

In recent weeks, new iPhone apps have been developed to aid people in their spiritual lives. One of these apps called SoulPulse actually lets people measure their spirituality in real time, according to Religion News Service.

Currently, 714 people are using the app, which allows users to answer two surveys every 14 days, according to the apps website. Users will answer questions about their spiritual awareness and even what theyre thinking about including when they sleep, the apps website said.

After the 14 days are up, users receive a report that shows how spiritual they were and patterns about spirituality and religion, the company website said.

The app and study were created by Pastor John Ortberg and Bradley Wright, an associate professor at the University of Connecticut, RNS reported. Ortberg came up with the idea because he was interested in studying human psychology and spirituality, according to RNS.

Why do people change or not change? Why is change so hard? What do you need to know about yourself to become your best self? These seem like gaping holes in our knowledge, Ortberg told RNS.

Ortbergs app isnt the only one with spiritual connections thats been making headlines recently. The Huffington Post published an RNS article that showed six different religious-themed applications that cant be found on the iPhone, including one that sorts out Jewish celebrities.

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Siri's religious beliefs examined as religion and technology continue to mix