Glucocorticoids and stress‐related depression: an evaluation of biological mechanisms and the potential for new therapeutics

Abstract

Purpose

Principles of epigenesis that provide a foundation for research into chronic medical disorders are increasingly being applied in the context of mental health. The purpose of this paper is to consider recent research evidence for epigenetic influences in the pathogenesis of depression, and the putative links with stress biology during exposure to chronic stress, with the aim of placing this into a context of potential new therapeutics.

Design/methodology/approach

Substantive reviews published during the last ten years were identified in a search of the Pubmed database in September 2010 using the terms “epigenetics” or “epigenesis” with “mental health”, “mood disorder”, “depression”, stress', “chronic stress” or “environment”, supplemented by hand‐searching of citations in the reviews.

Findings

Epigenetic mechanisms are both heritable and acquired, and their impact on the underlying genome helps explain individual vulnerability and patterns of occurrence of depression.

Originality/value

The paper shows that this relatively new field of research is in its infancy, and the influence of adverse environments (i.e. stressors) on genetic/epigenetic predisposition has promise for the advent of novel therapeutics based on epigenetic manipulation.

Citation

McVicar, A. and Clancy, J. (2011), "Glucocorticoids and stress‐related depression: an evaluation of biological mechanisms and the potential for new therapeutics", Journal of Public Mental Health, Vol. 10 No. 1, pp. 17-33. https://doi.org/10.1108/17465721111134529