Previous studies have linked clean homes to weak immune systems.

閱讀難度：

A growing obsession with cleanliness could be making people depressed, according to scientists, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Researchers found that cleaner homes and offices are leaving lower levels of dirt and bacteria that could lead to weaker immune systems and, in turn, brain function being impaired.

The latest study, from Atlanta, suggested that weaker immune systems tend to overreact to dust and dirt in the form of inflammations or allergies that can slow the brain's production of "happy" chemicals such as serotonin and cause depression.

The scientists said the rates of depression are far higher in the developed world than in poorer parts of the planet. （點擊英國《每日電訊報》查看原文）

過度清潔恐導致抑郁

?????? 英國《每日電訊報》報道，科學家研究表明，過于講究清潔的環境可能會使人抑郁。

?????? 研究者發現家和辦公室越干凈，灰塵和細菌也就越少，這可能導致人的免疫系統更脆弱而反過來損害腦功能。

?????? 來自亞特蘭大的最新研究表明，脆弱的免疫系統容易對灰塵過度反應，表現為發炎或過敏，而這會降低大腦里“快樂”因子（比如：血清素）的產生，從而引起抑郁。

?????? 科學家表示，發達國家的抑郁發生率遠高于貧窮的國家。

(China.org.cn April 20, 2011)