NEW INSIGHTS INTO MOLECULAR TARGETS FOR DEPRESSION

Abstract

Major depressive disorder is a heritable neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by relatively subtle cellular and molecular alterations localized to a complex network of neural substrates. Various forms of psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are currently the most commonly used antidepressant treatments. Despite adequate care with currently available treatments, up to 70% of depressed patients have residual symptoms, and, even with more aggressive therapies, 20% or more may show only a limited response. The need for newer compounds to treat depression is still an ever growing concern due to the enormous societal and famifications of depression. This review covers all the monoaminergic (SSRI/5-HT1A antagonists, SSRI/5-HT2C antagonists, SSRI/alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists, triple reuptake inhibitors, dopamine agonists, targeting GABA) and beyond monoaminergic strategies including corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-1 receptor antagonists, Inhibition of glucocorticoid function, substance P (Nk-1) antagonists, MCH1 receptor antagonists, Gal3 receptor antagonists, arginine vasopressin as the potential novel targets for depression.. However, To be the most successful novel target it shouldn’t only demonstrate preclinical antidepressant like effects, but also target the unmet clinical needs and lead to long-term disease modification.