scholarly journals The Way to a Human’s Brain Goes Through Their Stomach: Dietary Factors in Major Depressive Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Aly ◽  
Olivia Engmann
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Omega 6 ◽  
And Behavior

Globally, more than 250 million people are affected by depression (major depressive disorder; MDD), a serious and debilitating mental disorder. Currently available treatment options can have substantial side effects and take weeks to be fully effective. Therefore, it is important to find safe alternatives, which act more rapidly and in a larger number of patients. While much research on MDD focuses on chronic stress as a main risk factor, we here make a point of exploring dietary factors as a somewhat overlooked, yet highly promising approach towards novel antidepressant pathways. Deficiencies in various groups of nutrients often occur in patients with mental disorders. These include vitamins, especially members of the B-complex (B6, B9, B12). Moreover, an imbalance of fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, or an insufficient supply with minerals, including magnesium and zinc, are related to MDD. While some of them are relevant for the synthesis of monoamines, others play a crucial role in inflammation, neuroprotection and the synthesis of growth factors. Evidence suggests that when deficiencies return to normal, changes in mood and behavior can be, at least in some cases, achieved. Furthermore, supplementation with dietary factors (so called “nutraceuticals”) may improve MDD symptoms even in the absence of a deficiency. Non-vital dietary factors may affect MDD symptoms as well. For instance, the most commonly consumed psychostimulant caffeine may improve behavioral and molecular markers of MDD. The molecular structure of most dietary factors is well known. Hence, dietary factors may provide important molecular tools to study and potentially help treat MDD symptoms. Within this review, we will discuss the role of dietary factors in MDD risk and symptomology, and critically discuss how they might serve as auxiliary treatments or preventative options for MDD.

scholarly journals Deficient testosterone levels in men above 45 years with major depressive disorder - an age-matched case control study

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
A M Dikobe ◽  
C W Van Staden ◽  
S Reif ◽  
M Bornman
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Matched Case

<p><strong>Background.</strong> Symptoms of partial androgen deficiency in ageing men (PADAM) overlap considerably with those of major depressive disorder. The relationship between these conditions is complicated by the usual age-related decline in serum testosterone concentrations.</p><p><strong>Objectives.</strong> To test the hypothesis that depressed men above 45 years of age have lower serum testosterone concentrations than age-matched controls.</p><p><strong>Method.</strong> Serum testosterone fractions of 20 men above the age of 45 years suffering from a major depressive disorder were compared with those of 20 healthy men. An age-matched controlled design was used to account for the usual age-related decline in serum testosterone concentrations.</p><p><strong>Results.</strong> Testosterone concentrations of men suffering from a major depressive disorder were statistically significantly lower than those of an age-matched control group without depression. Conclusion. The role of testosterone deficiency in depressed men needs to be examined further in order for appropriate treatment options to be developed.</p>

Telomeres: the role of shortening and senescence in major depressive disorder and its therapeutic implications

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Daniela Schroder ◽  
Julia Beatrice de Araújo ◽  
Tacio de Oliveira ◽  
Airam Barbosa de Moura ◽  
Gabriel Rodrigo Fries ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Telomerase Activity ◽  
Biological Aging ◽  
Biological Mechanisms ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Telomere Biology

Abstract Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent and debilitating psychiatric disorders, with a large number of patients not showing an effective therapeutic response to available treatments. Several biopsychosocial factors, such as stress in childhood and throughout life, and factors related to biological aging, may increase the susceptibility to MDD development. Included in critical biological processes related to aging and underlying biological mechanisms associated with MDD is the shortening of telomeres and changes in telomerase activity. This comprehensive review discusses studies that assessed the length of telomeres or telomerase activity and function in peripheral blood cells and brain tissues of MDD individuals. Also, results from in vitro protocols and animal models of stress and depressive-like behaviors were included. We also expand our discussion to include the role of telomere biology as it relates to other relevant biological mechanisms, such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, oxidative stress, inflammation, genetics, and epigenetic changes. In the text and the discussion, conflicting results in the literature were observed, especially considering the size of telomeres in the central nervous system, on which there are different protocols with divergent results in the literature. Finally, the context of this review is considering cell signaling, transcription factors, and neurotransmission, which are involved in MDD and can be underlying to senescence, telomere shortening, and telomerase functions.

Cognitive Dimensions of Major Depressive Disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard T. Baune
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Social Cognitive Processing ◽  
Cognitive Dimensions

Cognitive Dimensions of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) examines the key clinical and pathophysiological characteristics and treatment options of MDD. The volume emphasizes that while the traditional model of depression implicates mood as the primary symptom cluster, a more recently published conceptual understanding of depression has been extended to consider cognitive function as more than just a symptom. It furthers our understanding of the central role of the cognitive dimension for the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of MDD. It reviews the key cognitive dimensions of depression comprising impaired cognitive and emotional processes of cognitive function, emotion processing, and social cognitive processing. It focuses on the cognitive and emotional dimensions of depression and offers extended and novel diagnostic and treatment approaches ranging from pharmacological to psychological interventions targeting those dimensions of depression.

Modulating the serotonin system in the treatment of major depressive disorder

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
pp. 54-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbi Ann Morrissette ◽  
Stephen M. Stahl
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Psychiatric Illness ◽  
Atypical Antipsychotics ◽  
Treatment Resistance ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Serotonin System ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
5Ht Receptors

Learning Objective: Discuss the theory of modulation of receptor activity or the blockade of the reuptake of multiple neurotransmitter systems for the future treatment of MDD.Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious and often crippling psychiatric illness with a high risk of relapse and treatment resistance. In this article, we discuss the role of the serotonergic system in MDD including our current understanding of how various serotonin (5HT) receptors modulate monoamine neurotransmission and behavior. We also discuss how pharmacologic interventions, including novel and existing antidepressants and atypical antipsychotics, may be utilized to adjust serotonergic neurotransmission and provide more effective treatments for patients with MDD.

scholarly journals Reviewing the Role of the Endocannabinoid System in the Pathophysiology of Depression

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ines Gallego-Landin ◽  
Alba García-Baos ◽  
Adriana Castro-Zavala ◽  
Olga Valverde
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Diseases ◽  
The Relationship

Major depressive disorder is a high-impact, debilitating disease and it is currently considered the most prevalent mental illness. It is associated with disability, as well as increased morbidity and mortality. Despite its significant repercussions in our society, its exact pathophysiology remains unclear and therefore, available antidepressant treatment options are limited and, in some cases, ineffective. In the past years, research has focused on the development of a multifactorial theory of depression. Simultaneously, evidence supporting the role of the endocannabinoid system in the neurobiology of neuropsychiatric diseases has emerged. Studies have shown that the endocannabinoid system strongly impacts neurotransmission, and the neuroendocrine and neuroimmune systems, which are known to be dysfunctional in depressive patients. Accordingly, common antidepressants were shown to have a direct impact on the expression of cannabinoid receptors throughout the brain. Therefore, the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and major depressive disorder is worth consideration. Nevertheless, most studies focus on smaller pieces of what is undoubtedly a larger mosaic of interdependent processes. Therefore, the present review summarizes the existing literature regarding the role of the endocannabinoid system in depression aiming to integrate this information into a holistic picture for a better understanding of the relationship between the two.

Depression – Let’s Talk - Role of Aashwasan Chikitsa

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Vishal Naik ◽  
Prachi Datta Dalvi U.
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Medical Intervention ◽  
Medical Illness ◽  
Suicidal Tendency ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Curative Therapy ◽  
Personal Interaction

The WHO theme for the year 2017 is Depression. Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how a person feels, thinks and behaves. Psychotherapy if incorporated along with medications can be of substantial help in depression. It is also called ‘talking therapy’ and is based on personal interaction with the patient. Patients suffering from this disorder do not easily accept it and hence do not feel the need to seek medical intervention or counselling. In this process the symptoms might get aggravated and suicidal tendency (which is the worst effect of this disease) may develop. So it is extremely essential for the patient, family and society to accept, talk, discuss and seek treatment for this disease. This ‘talking therapy’ is of utmost importance in today’s life where concept of privacy is taking its toll. This therapy is mentioned in Ayurveda as Aashwasan Chikitsa. Aashwasan Chikitsa consists of good, pleasing and benevolent thoughts, spiritual ideas, positive attitude, ethics and communication with near ones. So in the treatment of psychological disorders, along with medications counselling therapy plays a very important role. Finally counselling can act as a part of preventive, curative therapy and also aids to avoid recurrence in the patients of depression.

scholarly journals The Role of Dynorphin and the Kappa Opioid Receptor in Schizophrenia and Major Depressive Disorder: A Translational Approach

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel David Clark
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Opioid Receptor ◽  
Clinical Data ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Kappa Opioid Receptor ◽  
Kappa Opioid ◽  
Major Depressive

AbstractThe kappa opioid receptor (KOR) and its endogenous ligands dynorphins (DYN) have been implicated in the development or symptomatology of a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. This review covers a brief history of the development of KOR agonists and antagonists, their effects in healthy volunteers, and the potential role of DYN/KOR dysfunction in schizophrenia and major depressive disorder from a translational perspective. The potential role of DYN/KOR dysfunction in schizophrenia is based on several lines of evidence. Selective KOR agonists induce affective states in healthy volunteers with similarities to the symptoms of schizophrenia. Studies have shown increased DYN in patients with schizophrenia, although the data have been mixed. Finally, meta-analytic data have shown that opioid antagonists are associated with reductions in the symptoms of schizophrenia. The potential role of DYN/KOR dysfunction in major depressive disorder is also based on a combination of preclinical and clinical data. Selective KOR agonists have shown pro-depressive effects in human volunteers, while selective KOR antagonists have shown robust efficacy in several preclinical models of antidepressant activity. Small studies have shown that nonselective KOR antagonists may have efficacy in treatment-resistant depression. Additionally, recent clinical data have shown that the KOR may be an effective target for treating anhedonia, a finding relevant to both schizophrenia and depression. Finally, recommendations are provided for translating preclinical models for schizophrenia and major depressive disorder into the clinic.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document