New Discussion - Pharmacotherapy of Depression

[Guest guest]

Respected members

The new topic of discussion on netrum is Pharmacotherapy of Depression which will run from 16 -19 Jan. I am thankful to Dr Thawani Sir for giving me an opportunity to moderate the discussion on this important topic. Thank u sir.

• Major depression is a type of affective disorder characterized by sad mood, loss of interest low energy, psychomotor retardation etc. The DSM –IV TR has stated the criteria for diagnosing a patient with depression. Symptoms should be present for greater than 2 weeks duration.

• The subtypes of depression are

Major Depressive Disorder

Minor Depressive Disorder

Recurrent Brief Depressive Disorder

Bipolar Disorder – Depressive Episode

Depressive Disorder NOS

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Mixed Anxiety-Depressive Disorder

Postpsychotic Depressive Disorder of Schizophrenia

Atypical Depression

Depressive Disorder Due to a chronic medical condition

Substance-Induced Depressive disorder

Dysthymia

It represents a major public health problem and ranked 4th in the percentage of DALY and projected to be 2nd in 2020 .Lifetime risk of depression 20-25% in women and 7-12% in men.

Regards

Dr Ankush Gaikwad

Second year resident, Department of Pharmacology.

GMC, Nagpur.

[Guest guest]

THEORIES FOR DEPRESSION

The two important theories stated in the depression are the

Monoamine hypothesis and the

Neurotropic hypothesis

The monoamine hypothesis states that the deficiency of neurotransmitters like noradrenaline and serotonin in the areas of the brain like the hippocampus and the cingulated gyrus is associated with depression.

Reserpine a previously used anti-hypertensive drug depletes this neurotransmitters and causes depressive symptoms as an adverse effect also supports this theory.

Similarly, depressed patients who respond to serotonergic antidepressants such as fluoxetine often rapidly suffer rapidly suffer relapse when given diets free of tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin synthesis.

Regards

Dr Ankush Gaikwad

Second year resident, Department of Pharmacology

GMC, Nagpur