Potential Interactions Between Environmental and Psychoneurobiological Factors in the Interface Between Stress and Depression: A Road Map to Resilience
Chapter
Overview
Identity
Additional Document Info
View All
Overview
abstract
Chronic stress plays a critical role in the origin and development of depression, including the long-lasting effects of stressful experiences during childhood and the chronic impact of environmental stressors during adulthood, later in life. Different environmental and neurobiological factors have been involved in this process, where an increased activation of the HPA axis, with the consequent hypercortisolism, represents one of the most consistent findings in both, chronically stressed and depressive subjects. In this regard, chronic alteration of the HPA axis may lead to an array of consequences, including an increased reactivity of the amygdala, decreased activity of the hippocampus, and altered neurotransmission, particularly in the serotonergic system. In addition, different endocrine systems and immunological changes have been also observed, all of them contributing to increase the risk to develop depressive symptoms in response to stressful conditions. In addition, genetic polymorphisms have been also studied, providing additional factors of vulnerability. Preliminary results suggest that these alterations could be controlled or even prevented with the appropriate strategies, therefore contributing to develop resilience in certain individuals. A more comprehensive understanding of the interactions between all these factors may contribute to the development of more effective psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches aimed at improving diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic strategies in vulnerable individuals, therefore contributing to create the basis to develop more resilient individuals.
