Common pathways of depression and pain.
Depressive disorders are chronic conditions that produce both emotional and physical symptoms. Increasing evidence suggests that in some patients with depressive disorders a neurodegenerative process may occur, highlighting the importance of early and aggressive intervention. Serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) neurotransmitter systems influence neuroplasticity in the brain, and both are involved in mediating the therapeutic effects of most currently available antidepressants. Some dual-action antidepressants have been shown to be effective in managing the pain symptoms associated with depression. These agents may have advantages over others by treating a wider array of physical symptoms. Additionally, these agents may also have a role in modulating neurogenesis and other neuroplastic changes, thereby leading to more complete recovery in patients suffering from the emotional and physical symptoms of chronic depression.
Department of Psychiatry, University Hospitals of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-5080, USA. pedro.delgado@case.edu
Pedro L
PL
Delgado
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D000068736:Duloxetine Hydrochloride; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012008:Recurrence; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D000068736:Duloxetine Hydrochloride; D009638:Norepinephrine; D012701:Serotonin; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D013876:Thiophenes; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride