Abstract

NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND RECEPTORS IN DEPRESSION: MECHANISMS AND THERAPEUTIC INSIGHTS

Kundan Jaiishwar Singh*, Komal P. Bonde, Rutuja Sunil Chavan, Rutik Maruti Wadje, Tanuja Bhaskar Yewale and Prajakta Chandrakant Khanale

ABSTRACT

Depression is a complex psychiatric disorder that is manifested by sustained sadness, lack of interest, and impairment of cognition, with a significant impact on quality of life. It is triggered by the complex neurochemical unbalances in neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and glutamate, all of which are important in regulating mood, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis. Their respective receptor derangement like 5-HT1A, NMDA, AMPA, and adrenergic receptors also has an immense impact on depression pathophysiology. In addition, HPA axis disturbances, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress add to neurotransmitter dysfunction, consequently modulating depressive symptoms. Cumulative evidence supports that chronic stress, genetic risk, andepigenetic alterations control neurotransmitter signaling, hence promoting long-term synaptic and structural plasticity within key brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. Existing pharmacological treatments, e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, atypical antidepressants, and NMDA receptor agonists and antagonists, try to re-normalize neurotransmitter homeostasis. There is, however, still resistance to the treatment and yet more new medications need to be created, like rapid-acting antidepressants (e.g., ketamine and ketamine), psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, and neurostimulation methods. This review addresses the intricate pathways of neurotransmitter dysregulation in depression, the role of neurotransmitter receptors, and advances in therapeutic treatments for these systems. If any additional refining is needed, please let me know!

Keywords: .