Abstract:
The mechanisms of depression were reviewed. It was found that dysfunction of prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus and amygdale occurs in patients with depression. Studies have shown that monoamine neurotransmitters, glutamate and its receptor, P substance, neuropeptides, neurotrophic factors and arginine vasopressin are all contributing factors to depression, and that sex hormone is also involved in this process. Changes in the morphology and structure of some brain regions including decreased volume and cell number of prefrontal cortex, impaired function and destruction of the hippocampus have been observed in patients with depression, indicating that neural plasticity is closely associated with depression. In summary，the mechanisms of depression is complex and a number of factors are commonly associated with depression, including individual physiological, pathological, genetic, the living environment and so on. The mechanisms of depression should be integrated from behavior to molecular level.
