Depression - Biological factors

Endocrinology in depression

• Hormonal factorsThe levels of hormones, the chemical messengers in the body that help regulate metabolism, have been linked to depression

Genetic factors in depression

• Heredity - The tendency to develop clinical depression and depressed mood may be inherited; there is some evidence that this disorder may run in families. A 2004 press release from the National Institute of Mental Health declares "major depression is thought to be 40-70 percent heritable, but likely involves an interaction of several genes with environmental events." [1]

Brain chemicals called neurotransmitters allow electrical signals to move from the axon of one nerve cell to the neuron of another. A shortage of neurotransmitters impairs brain communication.

Neuroanatomy of depression

• Neuroanatomy Recent research has suggested that there may be a link between depression and neurogenesis of the hippocampus.

Neurochemistry of depression

• Neurochemical There may be changes or imbalances in chemicals that transmit information in the brain, called neurotransmitters. Many modern antidepressant drugs attempt to increase levels of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. Although the causal relationship is unclear, it is known that antidepressant medications can relieve certain symptoms of depression, although critics point out that the relationship between serotonin, SSRIs, and depression usually is typically greatly oversimplified when presented to the public (see here).

Physical sex differences

Main article: Physical sex differences and depression

Medical conditions and depression

• Medical conditions – Certain illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, hepatitis, mononucleosis, hypothyroidism, and organic brain damage caused by degenerative conditions such as Parkinson disease or by traumatic blunt force injury may contribute to depression, as may certain prescription drugs such as birth control pills and steroids. Gender dysphoria can also cause depression.

Main article: Depression and physical illness

Physiological functioning and depression

The activity of various physiological processes are also associated with depression:

• Depression, sleep and the circadian rhythm

Nutrition and depression

• The increase in depression in industrialised societies has been linked to diet, particularly to reduced levels of omega-3 fatty acids in intensively farmed food and processed foods.

Main article: Nutrition and depression

Drug abuse and depression

• Alcohol and other drugs – Alcohol can have a negative effect on mood, and misuse of alcohol, benzodiazepine-based tranquilizers, sleeping medications and recreational drugs can all play a major role in the length and severity of depression.

Main article: Drug abuse and depression

Bibliography

Additional material - Papers

• Google Scholar