title: [Dopamine and depression: the forgotten neurotransmitter].
abstract: Several lines of evidence suggest a major role for dopamine in the pathophysiology of depression. In particular, affective disorders tend to be associated with a decrease in dopaminergic function. Moreover, some data show that antidepressants increase the activity of dopaminergic synapses at the mesolimbic level. In fact, the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system appears to be an extremely interesting target for the study of the pathophysiology of depression and for the development of antidepressive strategies. Recent developments of molecular biology and new imaging techniques provide interesting perspectives that could bring a better comprehension of the real implication of dopamine in depression.
authors.affiliation: Service de Psychiatrie et de Psychologie Médicale, CHU Sart Tilman, Liège, Belgique.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pitchot
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scantamburlo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ansseau
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology*; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D004298:Dopamine