Neuroimaging and Molecular Research on Depressive Disorder

Dear Colleagues,

The intersection of molecular research and neuroimaging is vital for understanding depressive disorders. Neuroimaging, particularly advanced techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional neuroimaging (fNI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), neuroimaging spectroscopy and electrophysiological examination methods, has become instrumental in exploring the molecular basis of depression. These imaging modalities reveal neural circuitry, neurochemical dynamics and brain connectivity patterns correlating with depressive symptoms.

This research domain utilizes neuroimaging techniques to identify neuroimaging biomarkers that reflect molecular alterations, such as neurotransmitter levels, neurotrophic factors and inflammatory markers. For example, an MRI can visualize the impact of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation on brain structure and function, offering insights into the molecular mechanisms underpinning depression.

This Special Issue will cover the latest advances in neuroimaging techniques and their applications in molecular research on depression, highlighting how these findings enhance our understanding and treatment of this complex disorder. By bridging molecular changes with neuroimaging data, this Special Issue aims to inform more personalized therapeutic interventions for depression.

Dr. Keita Watanabe
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• neuroimaging
• molecular research
• neurotransmitter
• depressive disorder
• antidepressants