Neurobiología de la depresión

Abstract

Depression is a complex disease affecting a considerable percentage of the world population (17-20%). Although none of the specific brain circuits has been identified yet, research including neuroimaging, post mortem studies and animal models has pointed out important regions for the physiopathology of the disease. At the same time, some neuronal processes including the stress response, the immune response, the synaptic transmission and neuronal plasticity involved in the physiopatology of depression have been identified. So, several neurohormonal, neuronal and neurotrophic processes have been intensely studied in order to understand the onset and progression of depression. Among these, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the monoaminergic transmission, the neurotrophic mechanisms, neurogenesis and cytokines have been studied as important factors in depression. Recent research suggests that environment exerts a determining effect on the function of these processes. Adverse events during early development stages are able to modify gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms, becoming important factors of susceptibility. On the other hand, enriched environments also modify several neurological processes, acquiring an important role in the development of the disease.