Abstract | Hippocrates used “mania” and “melancholia” to describe depression around 400 BC. So, clinicians, researchers, and philosophers have been challenged by depression for over a 1000 years. Yet, while diagnostic criteria for depression are available, there is still an ongoing debate about this definition. However, the true enigma of depression lies not within the inability to define it, but lies in its etiology. Some potential causes of depression have been identified, yet the precise etiology remains unclear. Genetics, changes in neurotransmitters, diet, and psychosocial factors are only some of the plethora of potential causes of depression. Indeed, in recent years, there has been an explosion in the understanding of the neuroscience of depression and the complex interactions between genetics, behavior, and the environment in this disease. The widely publicized, high profile, cases of depression in celebrities have aroused international interest; fueling research in this rapidly developing field. It is now difficult even for experienced scientists to remain up to date. To assist colleagues who are interested in understanding more about this field, we have therefore produced tables containing up-to-date resources in this chapter. |
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