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Study shows how physical health affects mental health through brain pathways
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Multiple biological pathways involving the organs and brain play key roles in physical and mental health, according to new research led by scientists from University College London (UCL), the University of Melbourne and the University of Cambridge.
The study, published in the journal Nature Mental Health, analysed UK Biobank data from more than 18,000 people. Of these, 7,749 had no serious clinically diagnosed medical or mental illness, while 10,334 reported a diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder.
Using advanced statistical models, the researchers found a significant link between deteriorating organ health and increased depressive symptoms, with the brain playing a major role in linking health and depression.
The organ systems studied included the lungs, muscle and bone, kidney, liver, heart, and the metabolic and immune systems.
Dr Ye Ella Tian, lead author of the study from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne, said: "Overall, we have identified several significant pathways through which poor organ health can lead to poor brain health, which in turn can lead to poor mental health.
"By integrating clinical data, brain imaging, and a wide range of organ-specific biomarkers in a large population-based cohort, we were able to identify for the first time multiple pathways in which the brain acts as a mediator and through which poor physical health of the body's organs can lead to poor mental health.
"We identified modifiable lifestyle factors that have the potential to improve mental health through their effects on these specific organ systems and neurobiology.
"Our work provides a holistic characterization of the connections between brain, body, lifestyle and mental health."
Physical health was also taken into account, as well as lifestyle factors such as sleep quality, diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption.
Professor James Cole, the study's author from University College London, said: "While it is well known in healthcare that all organs and systems in the body influence each other, this is rarely reflected in research. So the results are particularly interesting as they really highlight the importance of combining measures from different parts of the body."
Professor Andrew Zaleski, co-author of the study from the University of Melbourne's Departments of Psychiatry and Biomedical Engineering, added: "This is a significant study because we have shown the link between physical health and depression and anxiety, and how this link is partly driven by individual variations in brain structure.
"Our results suggest that poor physical health of multiple organ systems, such as the liver and heart, the immune system, and muscles and bones, may lead to subsequent changes in brain structure.
"These structural brain changes may lead to the development or worsening of symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as neuroticism."