Khaberni - A recent scientific study revealed a big surprise with the existence of a direct biological relationship between depression and bone fragility, where the brain and bones communicate through a bidirectional physiological axis that affects each other.
A physiological network links mental health to the skeletal system
According to "sciencealert" magazine, three Chinese neurologists published a scientific review that clarifies the "bone-brain axis" theory, which had not previously received sufficient attention.
The researchers, Bingbing Li from Xi'an Space Hospital, Yangyang Gao from Ningxia Medical University, and Shoudong Zhao from Jiangnan University, presented evidence proving that this axis represents a real physiological network and not just a theoretical assumption.
The researchers confirmed that the clinical implications of this discovery are significant and immediate, and they called on doctors in related specialties to recognize the interrelated pathological relationship between these two conditions.
How bones affect mood and cognition
Bones secrete hormones into the bloodstream that affect distant organs such as the brain, where the hormone osteocalcin crosses the blood-brain barrier and affects cognitive functions and mood. Patients suffering from severe depression have registered high levels of this hormone in their blood, which decreases with the treatment of depression.
The protein osteopontin, secreted by bones, plays an anti-inflammatory role in the brain and reshapes neural tissue, while genetic studies suggest that people who carry genetic variants associated with the production of this protein are more susceptible to depression.
Depression weakens bones through stress hormones
Depression causes chronic hyperactivity in stress pathways, leading to loss of bone mass through the secretion of hormones like cortisol and serial inflammatory responses.
The severity of depression and bone fragility feed off each other through this axis, creating a mutual impact loop.
New therapeutic prospects targeting the dual axis
The researchers suggested targeting this axis through customized exercise programs, neuro-modification, or medications focused on bone-derived signals associated with mood and bone health.
A scientific review released in 2025 provided emerging evidence that physical exercise stimulates the bone-brain axis in ways that may alleviate neurodegenerative diseases, osteoporosis, and mood disorders.
The research team suggested the necessity of adopting comprehensive therapeutic strategies that include customized exercise programs and pharmacological interventions targeting bone signals to improve the quality of life of patients, especially the elderly suffering from the syndrome of osteoporosis and depression.
