Molecular Research on Depression

Dear Colleagues,

Depressive disorders are responsible for a significant burden of disease in the human population. This problem affects not only individuals, but also family members and society as a whole. Therefore, it is a serious social and economic problem in the 21st century. For several decades, many theories of depression have been formulated on which modern pharmacotherapy is based. The importance of noradrenergic, serotonergic, dopaminergic or glutamate transmission disturbances in the pathogenesis of depression seems to be undeniable. This is confirmed by drugs that modulate the turnover of these neurotransmitters in the brain and in many cases reduce (or eliminate) symptoms of depression. Unfortunately, 30% (or even more) of depressive patients do not respond to traditional treatment and first-line treatment options. The key to developing new, more effective therapeutic strategies is to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying depressive disorders. In recent years, a large body of work has elucidated some of the molecular/cellular alterations that are critically involved in depression. Improving serotonergic transport to eventually compensate for serotonin deficiencies in the synaptic gap is known to have a health-promoting effect in patients diagnosed with depression. Similarly, regulation of glutamate levels, or dopamine metabolism, have positive effects on aspects related to mood or motivation. Further research is ongoing and brings us closer to a better understanding of the basics of neurotransmission systems and brain circuits regulation in depression. Therefore, we invite and encourage everyone to submit the results and conclusions of new discoveries that may lead to novel therapeutic interventions in the future.

Dr. Magdalena Sowa-Kućma
Dr. Katarzyna Stachowicz
Guest Editors

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