Do You F*cking Mind? 298. The Neuroscience of Antidepressants Part 2: The Glutamate Hypothesis
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Feb 4, 2024 Exploring the role of glutamate in depression and alternative treatments. Discussing electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation as alternative treatments for depression. Exploring non-invasive treatments such as rTMS, tDCS, and PBMT. Discussing the importance of sunlight and ketamine in depression treatment.
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Monoamine Limits Explain Treatment Gaps
- The monoamine hypothesis helps explain some antidepressant effects but fails to explain depression's cause or many non-responders.
- Up to 46% of patients show poor response, indicating other neurobiological factors are involved.
Neuroplasticity Is Central To Depression
- Neuroplasticity means the brain reorganizes structurally, molecularly, and functionally in response to stimuli.
- Changes in brain volume, signaling cascades, and cell-level adaptations are seen in major depressive disorder.
Glutamate Links Excitability To Mood
- The glutamate hypothesis links depression to imbalances in excitability rather than solely monoamine deficits.
- Modulating glutamatergic activity in specific brain regions may treat cases that don't respond to SSRIs.