Trends in research on novel antidepressant treatments.
Frontiers in pharmacology January 1, 2025 Agnieszka Zelek-Molik, Ewa Litwa 19 citations
Mood disorders like major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are leading causes of disability worldwide, characterized by depressed mood, anhedonia, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, fatigue, cognitive impairment, and feelings of worthlessness. A growing number of patients experience treatment resistance, even with long-term therapy, creating an urgent need for rapid-acting and safe antidepressants. This review summarizes trends in novel antidepressant research, focusing on drugs with multi-directional mechanisms and high efficacy for treatment-resistant depression. Animal models of depression remain essential for predicting therapeutic strategies and understanding the physiological effects of new compounds, guiding the development of innovative treatments.