How did the researchers measure and find the impaired artery function?
The researchers looked at flow-mediated dilation in the brachial artery. Flow-mediated dilation is a measure of how well the endothelium, the lining of the blood vessels, acts to keep blood moving by widening the vessel. This artery in the arm is often used to evaluate vessel function because it is accessible, and its function reflects that of other arteries in the body. The researchers also tested the baroreflex system, which controls heart rate in response to changes in blood pressure. What were the results of the arterial function testing for those subjects with depression? Arterial function was “significantly impaired” in the individuals with depression, but there was no difference in the baroreflex differences between the control and test groups. Why don’t arteries work as well in people with depression? The researchers aren’t sure why arterial function was impaired. They point out that a previous study found that arterial function was also reduced in depressed people who had not
