Thesis supervisor: Boldizsár Czéh
Location of studies (in Hungarian): PTE ÁOK Pécs, Szigedti u. 12. Abbreviation of location of studies: ÁOK
Description of the research topic:
Major depressive disorder is a complex, multifactorial, heterogeneous, and (often) chronic mental disorder that affects ~120 million people worldwide. WHO predictions indicate that, by 2030, depression will be the leading cause of disease burden globally. Despite extensive investigations, the exact neurobiological processes that lead to depression are not fully understood. The most widely accepted hypothesis regarding the underlying neuropathology of MDD is the monoamine imbalance hypothesis, which emphasizes the role of disturbed monoamine neurotransmission in the synaptic cleft. However, the monoamine theory does not explain the wide spectrum of macroscopic and microscopic structural changes that have been documented in depressed patients, the obvious alterations in numerous other neurotransmitter systems, the dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is often present in these patients and the recently emphasized changes in gut microbiota and potential inflammatory mechanisms contributing to the pathophysiology. The aim of the present PhD project is to investigate the neurobiological changes contributing to the development of depressive disorders. The project use both experimental animal models and also clinical studies.
Login
