Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a leading treatment for depression, teaching coping skills, encouraging positive behaviour, and challenging negative thoughts. But does it lead to lasting changes in the brain?
Recent research from Stanford Medicine shows that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can lead to lasting brain changes, especially when tailored to the patient. In a study involving individuals with both depression and obesity, one-third experienced reduced depression through problem-solving-focused CBT. These patients also showed adaptive changes in brain circuitry.
These neural adaptations were evident after just two months of therapy and could help predict long-term treatment benefits. This supports the idea that tailoring treatments to the neurological basis of a patient’s depression—given its variability—can enhance success rates. This personalised approach is already standard in other medical fields.
Leanne Williams, PhD, director of Stanford Medicine's Center for Precision Mental Health and Wellness, notes, “When diagnosing chest pain, doctors use tests like electrocardiograms, heart scans, and blood tests to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. In contrast, for depression, we lack such diagnostic tools. Instead, treatment often relies on trial and error due to the absence of brain-based tests.”
