Author: van Praag, H. M.
Description: The central issue raised in this paper is: can stress cause depression? Phrased more precisely: can stress cause brain disturbances thought to underlie (certain forms of) depression or particular components of the depressive syndrome. Focussing on 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and the stress hormones, this question was answered in the affirmative, based on the following two considerations: changes in the 5-HT and stress hormone systems produced by sustained stress mimic to a substantial extent the disturbances in these systems that may be observed in depression. Substantial evidence indicates that the 5-HT and stress hormone disturbances in depression are of pathophysiological significance and not merely a consequence of the depressed state or a product of stress generated by the depressed state. Furthermore, the question was raised whether a depression type could be identified particularly stress-inducible. This question, too, was answered in the affirmative. The depression type in question was named anxiety/aggression-driven depression and characterized on three levels: psychopathologically, biologically and psychologically. Preferential treatment of this depression type was discussed. In studying stress-inducible depression, biological depression research should shift focus from depression per se to the neurobiological sequelae of stress. Treatment of stress-inducible depressions and particularly its prevention should be geared towards reduction of stress and stress sensitiveness, utilising both biological and psychological means.
Subject headings: Animals; Antidepressive Agents; Brain; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; Depression; Hormones; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Personality Disorders; Serotonin; Stress, Physiological
Publication year: 2004
Journal or book title: Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry
Volume: 28
Issue: 5
Pages: 891-907
Find the full text: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278584604000892
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Serial number: 3576