Review on Neurophysiological Mechanisms of Depression
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/svhn1k35Keywords:
Depression, Neurophysiological Mechanisms, Prefrontal-Limbic System, Brain Structure, Neuroinflammation, BDNFAbstract
Depression is a common and highly disabling mental disorder, whose complex neurophysiological mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Although the traditional monoaminergic neurotransmitter hypothesis laid the foundation for drug therapy, it fails to explain all its pathological phenomena. In recent years, with the development of neuroimaging and molecular biology techniques, research has gradually delved into multiple levels such as neural circuits, brain structure, and the immune system. This review aims to systematically organize the current mainstream research directions on the neurophysiological mechanisms of depression, focusing on the dysfunction of the prefrontal-limbic system circuit and its associated brain structural changes, as well as the central role of the neuroinflammation mechanism in the development of depression. Through integration and analysis of existing literature, we propose that depression is a syndrome resulting from the interaction of genetic susceptibility and environmental stress factors, leading to neural circuit dysfunction, neurotrophic imbalance, and immune system activation. A deeper understanding of future mechanisms will provide a key theoretical basis for developing novel, fast-acting antidepressant strategies.
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