Oxidative Stress in Treatment-Resistant and Refractory Depression: A Hidden Therapeutic Target?
Molecular neurobiology February 5, 2026 Zofia Winczewska, Wiesław J Cubała, Piotr Radziwiłłowicz et al. 5 citations
Oxidative stress (OS) is increasingly recognized not only as a factor in depressive disorders but also as a potential biomarker for the severity and persistence of treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This review synthesizes current evidence linking OS to TRD's chronicity and symptom persistence, suggesting that OS severity may indicate treatment resistance. The authors discuss fast-acting antidepressants and a non-pharmacological nutraceutical approach aimed at reducing OS as a way to fill a therapeutic gap and improve recovery chances. An integrated strategy to lower OS may help overcome treatment resistance in severe TRD, modifying disease course and improving prognosis.