As more and more people experience depression, scientists have become increasingly interested in finding a cure. Antidepressants have been used to treat depression for decades, however, there isn't yet a single medication that appears to take care of all depression symptoms. While there does appear to be a chemical imbalance behind some of the symptoms of depression this imbalance in the brain is correctible with antidepressant medication. It is possible, though, that the antidepressants currently available don't address other physical components of depression.
Researchers in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the National University of Ireland met with researchers at the Brain and Behavior Research Institute of the University of Maastricht, The Netherlands, to analyze available research in order to find other possible physiological causes of depression. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the three classes of currently available antidepressants. They work by adjusting levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and noradrenaline, both of which are believed to have effects on mood and depression.
The scientists who designed this meta-analysis of previous clinical research studies believe that only addressing imbalances in the serotonergic and noradrenergic systems is overly simplistic. The study found evidence that dysfunction in the endocrine and immune systems can also contribute to depression. Other neurotransmitters appear to be involved in the development of depression as well, including GABA and glutamate.
What does this mean? The researchers stress that this information points to a need for more comprehensive medications that address all the possible causes of depression. Different people may experience depressive symptoms for different reasons, so separate medications for endocrine and immune system dysfunction may be needed to help those who experience depression primarily in response to these issues. Antidepressants that address not only noradrenaline and serotonin imbalances but GABA and glutamate issues as well may better treat symptoms of depression that don't seem to respond to the currently available antidepressants.
This study also points to a need for greater education and research in the area of depression. Many people believe that antidepressants "cure" depression. Instead, while antidepressants may help alleviate symptoms of depression, they aren't a cure. They can only treat specific causes of depression symptoms. As researchers find more contributing factors for depression, patients need to be made aware that their antidepressant will not take care of the entire disease. Other physiological or emotional issues may need to be addressed as well. Talk therapy and treatment for possible medical causes (such as immune or endocrine dysfunction) used in conjunction with an antidepressant will provide a patient with a more comprehensive and effective care plan. Antidepressants aren't a magic bullet, but further research should continue to provide the medical community with better treatments that will help anyone experiencing depression to move forward toward a healthy, happy life.
© Copyright 2007 Insight Journal Online Magazine.
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