Date of Award
2018
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D. in Psychology
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Kenneth J. Sufka
Second Advisor
Robert Brown
Third Advisor
John M. Rimoldi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
For 60-plus years the explanatory model for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has been the monoamine theory, which states that low levels of monoamine neurotransmitters or alterations in their post-synaptic receptors are responsible for depressive symptoms. Drugs designed to elevate synaptic monoamine levels have remained the first line of pharmacotherapy prescribed by clinicians for MDD patients. However, these drugs have shortcomings. Despite evidence that current antidepressants elevate synaptic monoamine levels within hours of administration, these drugs require four to six weeks of daily administration before symptom relief appears. Furthermore, approximately half of patients taking typical antidepressants never achieve full symptom relief. The therapeutic lag time and low response rates associated with typical antidepressants suggests that elevation of monoaminergic activity may not be their true mechanism of antidepressant action and brings into question the validity of the monoamine theory. As a result, novel biological targets have been investigated for development of more reliable and faster-acting antidepressants. Recent work has shown that low doses of ketamine, a glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, can provide depressive symptom relief within hours of administration. What is interesting about these findings is that ketamine works on a completely different biological system than typical antidepressants. Moreover, a number of non-drug treatments, such as electro-convulsive therapy, psychotherapies, and exercise have proven efficacious in treating depressive symptoms. Understanding the biological mechanisms that underlie all of these various treatment modalities may provide evidence for a more valid explanatory model of MDD. In a review of relevant literature examining biologic alterations produced by monoaminergic antidepressants, ketamine and other glutamatergic agents, psychotherapies, electroconvulsive shock therapy, or exercise a commonality was identified: all of the treatments promote the growth of new synapses (synaptogenesis) and the growth of new neurons (neurogenesis). This finding prompts support for the developing Stress-Neurogenic Theory of depression. This theory suggests depressive symptoms are due to chronic, unpredictable stressors which stimulate the production of stress hormones leading to cell death in major brain areas and treatment for depression is dependent upon stimulating the brain’s natural processes responsible for the growth of new connections and new cells in affected brain regions.
Recommended Citation
White, Stephen W., "On The Future Of Antidepressant Treatments: Targeting Neurotrophic Factors And Plasticity" (2018). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 840.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/840
Concentration/Emphasis
Emphasis: Experimental Psychology