Coronary heart disease and depression: a review of recent mechanistic research.
OBJECTIVE
Both behavioural and physiological factors have been proposed as mechanisms that may explain the negative effect of depression on coronary heart disease (CHD). Our aim is to review some of the most important findings since our prior review.


METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and other sources for recent studies of candidate mechanisms, with an emphasis on publications since 2002.


RESULTS
Physiological pathways have received far greater attention than behavioural ones in the emerging literature. Recent studies have identified shared genetic determinants, inflammation, blood clotting, and vascular mechanisms as plausible explanatory mechanisms.


CONCLUSIONS
Future research should focus on relations between behavioural and physiological mechanisms and on the effects of pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic treatments for depression on candidate mechanisms.
Skala
Judith A
JA
Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri 63108, USA. skalaj@bmc.wustl.edu
Freedland
Kenneth E
KE
Carney
Robert M
RM
D000208:Acute Disease; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology