REVIEW: Comparative Analysis of Pathobiochemical Changes in Major Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

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Konstantin N. Stupin¹, Mikhail Y. Zenko¹, and Elena A. Rybnikova^1,a*

¹Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034 St.-Petersburg, Russia

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received November 13, 2020; Revised March 12, 2021; Accepted March 12, 2021

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Comparative analysis of available literature data on the pathogenetic neuroendocrine mechanisms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is provided in this review to identify their common features and differences. We discuss the multidirectional modifications of the activity of cortical and subcortical structures of the brain, levels of neurotransmitters and their receptors, and functions of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis in depression and PTSD. The analysis shows that these disorders are examples of opposite failures in the system of adaptive stress response of the body to stressful psychotraumatic events. On this basis, it is concluded that the currently widespread use of similar approaches to treat these disorders is not justified, despite the significant similarity of their anxiety-depressive symptoms; development of differential therapeutic strategies is required.

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KEY WORDS: major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, etiology, pathogenetic mechanisms, neurotransmitters, glucocorticoid hormones

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297921060109

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