The brain is a vital organ, susceptible to alterations under genetic influences and
environmental experiences. Social isolation (SI) acts as a stressor which results in …

The monoamine hypothesis has been accepted as the most common hypothesis of major
depressive disorder (MDD) for a long period because of its simplicity and understandability …

Background There is increasing interest in the gut‐brain axis and the role intestinal
microbiota may play in communication between these two systems. Acquisition of intestinal …

Increasing evidence demonstrates that neuroplasticity, a fundamental mechanism of
neuronal adaptation, is disrupted in mood disorders and in animal models of stress. Here we …

Opioid receptors are widely distributed throughout the brain and play an essential role in
modulating aspects of human mood, reward, and well-being. Accumulating evidence …

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by structural and neurochemical changes
in limbic structures, including the hippocampus, that regulate mood and cognitive functions …

Depression and suicidal behavior have recently been shown to be associated with
disturbances in structural and synaptic plasticity. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) …

Synaptic plasticity confers environmental adaptability through modification of the
connectivity between neurons and neuronal circuits. This is achieved through changes to …

In normal life, organisms are repeatedly exposed to brief periods of stress, most of which can
be controlled and adequately dealt with. The presently available data indicate that such brief …

Among psychiatric disorders, depression and generalized anxiety are probably the most
common stress-related illnesses. These diseases are underlain, at least partly, by …