Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Depression: Overview

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...

Long-term Depression

Long-term Depression

Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.

Long-term Depression

Long-term Depression

Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over time, all...

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...

Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents

Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents

Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), and vilazodone (Viibryd), offer unique mechanisms of action. Bupropion weakly inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, aiding depression treatment and smoking cessation, with a low risk of sexual dysfunction. Mirtazapine enhances serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmission, leading to sedation, increased appetite, and weight gain. As a result, it helps treat...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Real World Outcomes of Pembrolizumab and Reduced-Dose Lenvatinib in Recurrent Endometrial Cancer by Platinum and p53 Status.

Gynecologic oncology reports·2026

Same author

Gut Microbiome-Driven Microglial Activation Links Dysbiosis to Pain in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome.

Research square·2026

Same author

A Single-Session Simulation-Based Educational Intervention for Spiritual Assessment in Psychiatry Residency Training.

Academic psychiatry : the journal of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training and the Association for Academic Psychiatry·2026

Same author

Origin of the clock in <i>Neurospora crassa</i>.

Frontiers in molecular biosciences·2026

Same author

Developing Topics.

Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association·2025

Same author

An Advanced Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Workflow for High-Confidence Non-Targeted Screening of Non-Intentionally Added Substances in Recycled Plastics.

ACS measurement science au·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression

Published on: January 7, 2019

Testosterone and depression: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Fahd Aziz Zarrouf¹, Steven Artz, James Griffith

¹West Virginia University School of Medicine, Charleston Division, WV, USA. fahdzarrouf@hotmail.com

Journal of Psychiatric Practice

|July 24, 2009

Summary

Testosterone (TT) replacement therapy shows antidepressant effects in depressed patients, particularly those with hypogonadism or HIV/AIDS. The method of TT administration may influence treatment outcomes.

More Related Videos

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

Published on: March 2, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression

Published on: January 7, 2019

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

Published on: March 2, 2015

Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Psychiatry
Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

Emerging evidence suggests testosterone (TT) replacement may alleviate depressive symptoms.
Depression is a significant global health concern with various treatment modalities.

Purpose of the Study:

To systematically review and meta-analyze the efficacy of TT administration in treating depression.
To evaluate the impact of TT on depression using randomized, placebo-controlled trials.

Main Methods:

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (MEDLINE, Clinical Trials Registry, Cochrane Central).
Included studies were randomized, placebo-controlled trials meeting specific diagnostic and outcome criteria (DSM, HAM-D).
Data extraction focused on participant demographics, intervention details, and changes in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) scores.

Main Results:

Seven double-blind, placebo-controlled studies with 364 participants were included in the meta-analysis.
Testosterone therapy demonstrated a statistically significant positive effect on reducing depression scores compared to placebo (P<0.0001).
Significant antidepressant effects were observed in subgroups with hypogonadism, HIV/AIDS, and when using TT gel.

Conclusions:

Testosterone replacement therapy appears to be an effective antidepressant, especially for specific patient populations.
Hypogonadism, HIV/AIDS, and elderly status are key factors influencing TT's antidepressant efficacy.
The route of testosterone administration may be a critical determinant of treatment response.