[Biochemistry of depression. Literature analysis]

Abstract

The author goes briefly over the metabolism of the main cerebral monoamines, the functioning of synapses, as well as the methods used in studying the biochemistry of depression. Beyond all existing contradictory results, a review of the main works in this field enables us to point out some leading ideas:--Depression would be due to and/or accompanied by a monoaminergic deficiency: some authors emphasize the serotonin one, others the noradrenaline one.--The regulation of mood most probably finds its origin in the monoaminergic balance, rather than in the gross rates of any particular monoamine.--Disturbances are to be found on all metabolic levels: monoaminergic, hydroelectrolytic, hormonal, glucidic, lipidic, lipidic... Close intrication exists between those different metabolisms.--The interaction between the different aminergic systems and the metabolic ways, as well as the dispersion of the acknowledged results, impose more and more the necessity of a biochemical typology of depression, which would lead to a predictive approach to the evolution and treatment of depressive illness.