The facts about depression can be depressing.
More than 17 million adults and 2 million teenagers in the United States battle depression each year, whether because of genetics, family history or chemical imbalances in the brain, according to studies.
Women and teenage girls are twice as likely to suffer from major depression than men. Major depression increases the risk of heart attacks and is a contributing factor in alcoholism, cancer, diabetes, drug abuse, stroke and suicide.
The Triad's unemployment rate has hovered about 10 percent for more than a year. Local health-care officials say the economy is likely a factor in a surge in depression cases, as thousands of residents struggle with the loss of a job and trying to pay their bills.
There is reason for hope, however, because a wave of new treatments and new drugs are on the way, according to a group of researchers who will lead a panel discussion at 7 p.m. Wednesday. It will take place at the Piedmont Club in the BB&T Financial Center, 200 W. Second St.
The discussion is sponsored by Targacept Inc., the Brain Awareness Council and the neurosciences faculty at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
Two officials with Targacept, including its president and chief executive, Don deBethizy, will participate in the discussion. The other presenters are from Duke University and Wake Forest University Health Sciences.
They will discuss current challenges in diagnosing and treating depression, and the compromises to quality of life in depression. They also will discuss promising therapies.
"We're doing this to help raise community awareness that there are new options for treatment," said Dr. David Hosford, the medical director for Targacept.
"More that half of patients being treated for depression do not respond to the initial treatment. So if patients and doctors are not aware of new options or those on the way, people who can be helped aren't being helped."
Last October, Targacept provided a ray of hope regarding treating depression with its drug-compound discovery TC-5214.
The compound did three times better on a prominent rating scale for depression than a drug already in the marketplace, Abilify. Abilify and TC-5214 target major, or chronic, depressive disorder as an add-on option.
Targacept remains on course to conduct a global Phase 3 clinical trial this summer, which involves the use of healthy volunteers and/or patients into small pilot studies. It plans to file a drug application with the Food and Drug Administration in the second half of 2012.
Al Renna, the president and chief executive of Family Services Inc., said his agency has experienced a noticeable increase in demand for services related to depression.
The agency's most recent survey, which reflects February through June 2009, found that 39.5 percent of its 250 clients had dealt with a lost job, reduced work hours or income. At least 29 percent stopped receiving services because of money concerns, 57 percent said they lacked health insurance, and 71 percent said their level of behavioral disturbance has increased.
"Families at all levels of social strata suddenly are hit with extraordinary losses of job, income, homes, and perhaps dreams," Renna said. "At the same time, resources usually available to them become inaccessible because of limited income, fears and lack of service capacity.
"From my perspective, the emotional stability in families sets the tone for the health of all the individuals, and ultimately their ability to perform in the community. If we do not invest in their ability to be resilient during these times, we will pay in other areas."
Mary Annecelli, a local mental-health advocate, said she expects that the panel will be well attended by local groups.
"It's one of the rare opportunities for our local community to learn about the latest science of the brain without traveling to a conference," Annecelli said. "Events of this caliber help to lessen stigma."
rcraver@wsjournal.com
727-7376
Reservations are required. To make one, call 480-2226 or e-mail debra.perret@targacept.com. The researchers are expecting an attendance of between 180 and 200.
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