title: Neurobiological markers of familial risk for depression.
abstract: Major depression is associated with a wide range of neurobiological disturbances, including anomalies in the structure and function of cortical and subcortical gray matter and dysregulation of the HPA axis. In this chapter, we review research demonstrating that many of these abnormalities are also present in never-depressed offspring of adults with recurrent depression and discuss how such findings might reflect dysfunctional neuroregulatory systems that precede the onset of this disorder. We also briefly discuss candidate genes and environmental factors that have been posited to be directly involved in the transmission of neural and HPA-axis abnormalities from depressed parents to their offspring, and we review how, by obtaining a better understanding of the neurobiological markers of depression risk, we can facilitate the development of targeted strategies for the prevention and treatment of major depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Lara C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Foland-Ross
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Hardin
authors.forename: Ian H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Gotlib
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D003863:Depression / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005190:Family; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers