Cognition, emotions, depression, inflammable processes – basic principles of the neurodevelopmental theory of depression

Abstract

Experiments and research studies conducted within the last ten years have confirmed that both physical and psychological (emotional) stress increases the likelihood of occurrence of mental disorders (including depressive disorders) owing to the action of a series of hormonal and biochemical mechanisms, as well as epigenetic mechanisms, which has recently been confirmed. Markers of inflammation include: enzymes of inflammation, proinflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress. Separating emotion from cognition seems impossible in the everyday experiences of a human being. The majority of emotional experiences are linked with cognitive processes, and emotions are an indispensable element of cognition. It has been known for a long time now that the emotional state triggers memory materials associated with it (the socalled principle of emotion-cognition interaction). This principle affects not only memory processes but also includes perception, attention, or linguistic abilities. Emotional processes have an impact on the ability of planning and solving problems, or decision-making skills. They are a valuable source of information about ourselves, our partners in interactions, and the surrounding world. Mood disorders and deterioration of cognitive processes indicate a dysfunction of the same neuronal mechanism; hence the question about the common denominator for these changes. One of the possible explanations is an inflammatory process progressing in the organism of patients with depression, and its functional and structural consequences.