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Selected review
N° 71
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Role of
brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the aetiology
of depression: implications for pharmacological
treatment.
E. Castrén, T.
Rantamäki
Sigrid
Jusélius Laboratory, Neuroscience Center,
University of Helsinki, Helsinki,
Finland.
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Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a
critical mediator of activity-dependent neuronal
plasticity in the cerebral cortex. Deficits in
neurotrophic factors have been proposed to underlie
mood disorders. However, recent evidence suggests
that mood disorders may be produced by
abnormalities in the adaptation of neural networks
to environmental conditions. Antidepressants may
act by enhancing neuronal plasticity, which allows
environmental inputs to modify the neuronal
networks to better fine tune the individual to the
outside world. Recent observations in the visual
cortex directly support this idea. According to the
network hypothesis of depression, changes in the
levels of neurotrophins including BDNF may not
directly produce depression or an antidepressant
effect, but neurotrophins may act as critical tools
in the process whereby environmental conditions
guide neuronal networks to better adapt to the
environment. This hypothesis suggests that
antidepressant drugs should not be used alone but
should always be combined with rehabilitation to
guide the plastic networks within the brain.
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Reference:
Castrén E, Rantamäki T. Role of
brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the aetiology
of depression: implications for pharmacological
treatment.CNS Drugs. 2010 24(1):1-7.
Full
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Author's e-mail:
eero.castren@helsinki.fi
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Added
January 2010
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