The neuroscience and context of adolescent depression

Abstract

Adolescent depression is a growing public health concern with an increased risk of negative health outcomes, including suicide. The use of antidepressants and psychotherapy has not halted its increasing prevalence, and there is a critical need for effective prevention and treatment. We reviewed the neuroscience of adolescent depression, with a focus on the neurocircuitry of sustained threat and summarised contextual factors that have an impact on brain development and the pathophysiology of depression. We also reviewed novel treatment models.

Conclusion: Attention to the relevant neurocircuitry and contextual factors implicated in adolescent depression is necessary to advance prevention and treatment development.

Keywords: Adolescent depression; Contextual factors; Neuroscience; Review; Sustained threat.

Figure 1

Schematic illustration of a possible neurocircuitry to be targeted in a brain‐based intervention for adolescent depression: reducing amygdala hyper‐reactivity through practice of vagal afference and potentially normalising functional connectivity between the amygdala and key areas of emotion processing such as the hippocampus (Hipp), the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) and the insula.