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Unipolar Depression

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Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Neurology ((CCNEU))

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Abstract

Unipolar depression is characterized by mood dysregulation that is manifested in recurrent affective episodes over the lifetime of an individual. This chapter covers the epidemiology, pathology, genetics, and brain circuitry associated with unipolar depression. In addition, animal models of depression that have been useful in characterizing neurobiological causes for depression and development of new treatments are reviewed. Effective treatments exist for antidepressant treatment. The efficacy, side effects, toxicity, and mechanisms of action of various classes of these drugs are discussed. Finally, it has been shown that long-term use of antidepressants is effective in preventing recurring episodes of depression; cellular and molecular mediators that may underlie this effect are covered.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

    Julie A. Blendy PhD

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

    Irwin Lucki PhD

Authors
  1. Julie A. Blendy PhD
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  2. Irwin Lucki PhD
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

    Frank I. Tarazi PhD, MSc

  2. Laboratory of Psychiatric Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA

    Frank I. Tarazi PhD, MSc

  3. Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Univesity of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX

    John A. Schetz PhD

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© 2005 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Blendy, J.A., Lucki, I. (2005). Unipolar Depression. In: Tarazi, F.I., Schetz, J.A. (eds) Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders. Current Clinical Neurology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-856-0:189

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-856-0:189

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-369-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-856-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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