title: Mechanisms of extracellular signal-regulated kinase/cAMP response element-binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor signal transduction pathway in depressive disorder.
abstract: The extracellular signal-regulated kinase/cAMP response element-binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor signal transduction pathway plays an important role in the mechanism of action of antidepressant drugs and has dominated recent studies on the pathogenesis of depression. In the present review we summarize the known roles of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, cAMP response element-binding protein and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the pathogenesis of depression and in the mechanism of action of antidepressant medicines. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase/cAMP response element-binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor pathway has potential to be used as a biological index to help diagnose depression, and as such it is considered as an important new target in the treatment of depression.
authors.affiliation: Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong Province, China ; Taishan Medical University, Taian 271000, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Hongyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Taian Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taian 271000, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Yingquan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Mingqi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Qiao
keywords: 5-hydroxytryptamine; brain-derived neurotrophic factor; cAMP response element-binding protein; depression; extracellular signal-regulated kinase; grants-supported paper; mitogen-activated protein kinase; neural regeneration; neuroregeneration; reviews