Rodent Models of Depression: Neurotrophic and Neuroinflammatory Biomarkers

Figure 1

The stress hormones, neurotrophic factors, and cytokines are implicated in the complex network of molecular and cellular processes affecting brain function and important for depression pathogenesis. Oxidative/nitrosative stress is tightly involved in many mechanisms affecting the balance of neurotrophic factors and cytokines. Disturbances of neurogenesis in the subgranular zone as well as alterations in neurotransmitters and their receptors in specific brain areas directly contribute to depression-like behavior. All these systems and mechanisms are also dependent on genetic background and gender.