A Review of the Effects of Major Depressive Disorder

Abstract

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), or clinical depression, is a serious and common mood disorder that affects 5% of the world population. Despite its prevalence, the underlying mechanisms of depression are not fully understood. In recent years, advances in genetic research have provided new insights into the biological and neural basis of depression and its potential connection to chronological aging, a natural process that occurs over the human lifespan. Despite their distinct nature, depression and chronological aging have been linked in several studies, suggesting continued research in this important area. This review explores fundamental knowledge of clinical depression, including its leading causes, symptoms, and current treatments. It will also examine the genetic and biological overlaps between depression and aging, including the role of genetic factors, biological systems, and processes such as inflammation and oxidative stress. And finally, it will discuss potential treatments for depression that also target shared symptoms in aging and the unique challenges associated with diagnosing and treating depression in an older population. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the relationship between depression and chronological aging and to highlight the need for MDD to be viewed, studied, and treated as a multi-system disorder that interacts with major biological functions of the human body.