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Article: Neurobiological mechanisms in major depressive disorder
- Article from:
- Canadian Medical Association. Journal
- Article date:
- February 3, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Canadian Medical Association Feb 3, 2009. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a major depressive episode at some point in their lives.1 In this review, we discuss data describing how genes, psychosocial adversity in childhood, and ongoing or recent psychosocial stress may impact multiple neurobiological systems relevant to major depressive disorder. Major depressive disorder may be caused by the cumulative effects of these 3 factors on the brain.2
A major depressive episode is characterized by a low mood or an inability to experience pleasure (anhedonia), or both, for more than 2 weeks, combined with several cognitive and vegetative symptoms and the occurrence of distress or impairment.3 A diagnosis of major depressive disorder ...