title: Targeting astrocytes in major depression.
abstract: Astrocytes represent a highly heterogeneous population of neural cells primarily responsible for the homeostasis of the CNS. Astrocytes express multiple receptors for neurotransmitters, including the serotonin 5-HT2B receptors and interact with neurones at the synapse. Astroglia contribute to neurological diseases through homeostatic response, neuroprotection and reactivity. In major depression, astrocytes show signs of degeneration and are decreased in numbers, which may lead to a misbalance in neurotransmission and aberrant synaptic connectivity. In this review, we summarize astroglia-specific effects of major antidepressants and outline future strategies for astroglia-specific therapy in neuropsychiatric disorders.
authors.affiliation: a 1 Laboratory of Metabolic Brain Diseases, Institute of Metabolic Disease Research and Drug Development, China Medical University, No. 92 Beier Road, Heping District, Shenyang, PR China.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Alexei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verkhratsky
authors.affiliation: a 1 Laboratory of Metabolic Brain Diseases, Institute of Metabolic Disease Research and Drug Development, China Medical University, No. 92 Beier Road, Heping District, Shenyang, PR China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: a 1 Laboratory of Metabolic Brain Diseases, Institute of Metabolic Disease Research and Drug Development, China Medical University, No. 92 Beier Road, Heping District, Shenyang, PR China.
authors.forename: Baoman
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents
keywords: astrocytes; major depression; mechanism of drug action; neuropsychiatric diseases; serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors