Molecular Pathways of Major Depressive Disorder Converge On The Synapse

Authors

Gabriel R Fries
Valeria A Saldana
Johannes Finnstein
Theo Rein

Language

English

Publication Date

10-6-2022

Journal

Molecular Psychiatry

DOI

10.1038/s41380-022-01806-1

PMID

36203007

PMCID

PMC9540059

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

October 2022

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric disease of still poorly understood molecular etiology. Extensive studies at different molecular levels point to a high complexity of numerous interrelated pathways as the underpinnings of depression. Major systems under consideration include monoamines, stress, neurotrophins and neurogenesis, excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, mitochondrial dysfunction, (epi)genetics, inflammation, the opioid system, myelination, and the gut-brain axis, among others. This review aims at illustrating how these multiple signaling pathways and systems may interact to provide a more comprehensive view of MDD's neurobiology. In particular, considering the pattern of synaptic activity as the closest physical representation of mood, emotion, and conscience we can conceptualize, each pathway or molecular system will be scrutinized for links to synaptic neurotransmission. Models of the neurobiology of MDD will be discussed as well as future actions to improve the understanding of the disease and treatment options.

Keywords

Humans, Depressive Disorder, Major, Synapses, Synaptic Transmission, Inflammation, Signal Transduction

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Fries, Gabriel R; Saldana, Valeria A; Finnstein, Johannes; et al., "Molecular Pathways of Major Depressive Disorder Converge On The Synapse" (2022). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 2508.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthmed_docs/2508