Novel Therapies in the Treatment of Depression

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorder that is characterized by depressed mood, diminished interests, impaired cognitive function and vegetative symptoms, including disturbed sleep or appetite. Due to clinical and etiological heterogeneity of MDD, there is no established mechanism that can explain complete pathophysiology of the disease. Though there are many approved antidepressant treatments of MDD, including SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and MAOIs, approximately one third of patient do not optimally respond to these medications. Hence, it is imperative to develop newer antidepressants with novel mechanisms of action, especially for patients with treatment resistant depression. This M.D. thesis will focus on the newest treatment modalities for MDD, including experimental antidepressants, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and psychotherapy.