David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Neurobiological mechanisms in major depressive disorder
by Marije aan het Rot PhD, Sanjay J. Mathew MD, and Dennis S. Charney MD
Canadian Medical Association Journal, February 3, 2009; 180(3)
Key points
by Marije aan het Rot PhD, Sanjay J. Mathew MD, and Dennis S. Charney MD
Canadian Medical Association Journal, February 3, 2009; 180(3)
Key points
- Major depressive disorder is caused by the cumulative impact of genetics, adverse events in childhood and ongoing or recent stress.
- Gene?environment interactions seem to predict a person?s risk for major depressive disorder better than genes or environment alone.
- Structural and functional brain abnormalities in patients with major depressive disorder may be associated with low levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, abnormal function of the hypothalamic?pituitary?adrenal axis and glutamate-mediated toxicity.
- These abnormalities are thought to contribute to recurrent episodes of major depressive disorder and chronic illness.
- Existing options for antidepressant treatment are limited by their delayed onset of action, lack of efficacy and adverse outcomes.
- Future developments include the advancement of personalized medicine by means of genotyping for interindividual variability in drug action and metabolism.
