Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
Eur J Pharmacol. 2010 Jan 10;626(1):72-82. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2009.10.021. Epub 2009 Oct 20.
Major depression (MD) is a severe mental disorder characterized by alterations in mood and cognition, with disease severity correlating inversely with cognition scores. Neuropathology can be found abundantly in the limbic system, which is thought to regulate affect, attention and memory. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis overdrive, as well as decreased serotonin levels, have often been implicated in the pathogenesis of this illness. Interestingly, there is substantial interaction between these two systems, with receptors of one system influencing the function of the other. This results in impaired neural networks, which give rise to the wide range of depressive symptoms. Recently, it has been implied that MD could serve as a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), with patients suffering from lifetime depression having a twofold higher chance of developing AD and exhibiting more AD-related neuropathology. Modifications in the HPA-axis and the serotonergic system may contribute to the development of cognitive decline and eventually AD. These two systems may therefore be involved in the pathogenesis of both illnesses and could provide a link between MD and AD. Obtaining more knowledge on their interactive role in the relation between MD and AD may eventually aid in the development of more effective treatment strategies.
重度抑郁症（MD）是一种严重的精神障碍，其特征是情绪和认知的改变，疾病的严重程度与认知评分呈反比。神经病理学在边缘系统中大量存在，据认为边缘系统调节情感、注意力和记忆。下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺（HPA）轴过度活跃，以及血清素水平降低，常与这种疾病的发病机制有关。有趣的是，这两个系统之间存在大量的相互作用，一个系统的受体影响另一个系统的功能。这导致神经网络受损，从而产生广泛的抑郁症状。最近，有人暗示 MD 可能是患阿尔茨海默病（AD）的一个风险因素，终生患有抑郁症的患者患 AD 的几率增加一倍，并且表现出更多的 AD 相关神经病理学。HPA 轴和 5-羟色胺能系统的改变可能导致认知能力下降，最终导致 AD。这两个系统可能与这两种疾病的发病机制有关，并可能为 MD 和 AD 之间的关系提供一个联系。了解它们在 MD 和 AD 之间关系中的相互作用作用的更多知识，最终可能有助于开发更有效的治疗策略。
