Common aspects of neuroplasticity, stress, mood disorders and mitochondrial functions

Abstract

Here we provide an overview of basic mechanisms of neuroplasticity, molecular and cellular mechanisms accompanying chronic stress and mood disorders. Better insight into common molecular mechanisms of stress, mood disorders, effects of antidepressants and mitochondrial functions is likely to lead to better understanding of pathophysiology of depression or interindividual variations in response to antidepressant treatment.

Keywords

• mood disorders
• neuroplasticity
• synaptic plasticity
• stress
• hippocampus
• glutamate
• calcium
• antidepressive agents
• mood stabilizers
• mitochondrial dysfunction