title: Possible contribution of IGF-1 to depressive disorder.
abstract: Depression is an illness of unknown origin and involves the dysregulation of many physiological processes disturbed in this disease. It has been postulated that the pathomechanism of depression is complex, and apart from changes in neurotransmitters, a dysregulation of the immune and endocrine systems also plays an important role in the development of this disorder. Recent studies indicate that an impairment of synaptic plasticity in specific areas of the central nervous system (CNS), particularly the hippocampus, may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of depression. The abnormal neural plasticity may be related to alterations in the levels of neurotrophic factors. On this basis, a theory connecting the occurrence of depression with disturbances in neurotrophic factors has gained great attention. This review summarizes data suggesting a role for the neurotrophic factors - especially insulin-like-growth factor-1 (IGF-1) - as possible targets for therapy in depression in the context of depressive behavior modulation, anti-inflammatory action and neuroprotection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, PL 31-343 Kraków, Poland. basta@if-pan.krakow.pl.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Szczęsny
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Slusarczyk
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Głombik
authors.forename: Bogusława
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Budziszewska
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kubera
authors.forename: Władysław
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lasoń
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Basta-Kaim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I