Disrupted body clocks may contribute to depression in nearly a quarter of people studied

New Scientist reports that 23 percent of people with severe, recurrent depression in an Australian study showed signs of disrupted body clocks. Those participants reported that common antidepressants were less effective and caused more side effects. Researchers plan to test whether melatonin and changes to daily routines help. Nature reports that more evidence is needed before “circadian depression” becomes a formal diagnosis or treatment guidelines change.