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BIBTEX RIS

Promising new pharmacological targets for depression: The search for efficacy

2023; Elsevier BV; Volume: 28; Issue: 12 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103804

1878-5832

Lucila Emiko Tsugiyama, Ruan Carlos Macêdo de Moraes, Yaslle Andrade Cavalcante Moraes, José Fernando de Oliveira,

Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Pharmacological treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) still relies on the use of serotonergic drugs, despite their limited efficacy. A few mechanistically new drugs have been developed in recent years, but many fail in clinical trials. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain MDD pathophysiology, indicating that physiological processes such as neuroplasticity, circadian rhythms, and metabolism are potential targets. Here, we review the current state of pharmacological treatments for MDD, as well as the preclinical and clinical evidence for an antidepressant effect of molecules that target non-serotonergic systems. We offer some insights into the challenges facing the development of new antidepressant drugs, and the prospect of finding more effectiveness for each target discussed.