The Current Situation on Major Depressive Disorder in China: Research on Mechanisms and Clinical Practice

Abstract

Depression is the most disabling disorder worldwide that accounts for the highest proportion of global burden attributable to mental disorders. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by deep sadness, reduced energy, vegetative nervous system dysregulation, cognitive dysfunction, and even a high suicidal tendency. Although other treatment choices are available, antidepressant medication is the front-line treatment option for MDD. Regarding clinical efficacy, only ~50% of patients respond to frontline antidepressants, and <33% obtain remission. Currently, objective indexes to guide clinical decisions are still lacking. Furthermore, knowledge about the neurobiological mechanisms underlying discrepant antidepressant outcomes is still also fragmentary. In the present review, we discuss the current research progress and clinical opinions on MDD in China.

Keywords: Antidepressant; Biomarker; China; Epidemiology; Major depressive disorder; Pathogenesis.

Fig. 1

Key pathophysiological factors involved in the etiology of depression. MDD major depressive disorder, SNPs single-nucleotide polymorphisms, IL2/6 interleukin 2/6, BDNF brain-derived neurotrophic factor, HPA-axis hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, 5-HT serotonin, NA noradrenalin, DA dopamine. This figure is based on a template from Sciencesliders^® in Microsoft^® PowerPoint.