New Insights Into BDNF Signaling: Relevance to Major Depression and Antidepressant Action

Abstract

Major depressive disorder is a serious multifactorial mental illness that is characterized by disruptions in multiple symptom domains, including affect, reward, suicidality, cognition, and homeostasis (1). According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is the leading cause of disability for individuals 15–44 years old, affecting 18.4 million Americans (or 6.7% of the adult population) each year (2). Its prevalence is higher in women, who often report more severe symptoms and longer illness duration. Only 36.8% of patients achieve remission in response to first-line treatment, and a cumulative total of 67% achieve remission following multiple treatment trials that may take several months or years (3). Given its burden of disease, it is imperative that we improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of major depression, with the hope of developing more efficacious treatments.