Understanding the pathophysiology of depression: From monoamines to the neurogenesis hypothesis model - are we there yet?

Abstract

A number of factors (biogenic amine deficiency, genetic, environmental, immunologic, endocrine factors and neurogenesis) have been identified as mechanisms which provide unitary explanations for the pathophysiology of depression. Rather than a unitary construct, the combination and linkage of these factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of depression. That is, environmental stressors and heritable genetic factors acting through immunologic and endocrine responses initiate structural and functional changes in many brain regions, resulting in dysfunctional neurogenesis and neurotransmission which then manifest as a constellation of symptoms which present as depression.

Keywords: Depression; Endocrine factors; Environmental factor; Genetic factor; Immunologic factor; Monoamine hypothesis; Neurogenesis; Pathophysiology.