[Neural plasticity and recovery from depression]

The brain processes information and emotions in neural networks, the plasticity of which has been proposed to be connected with the recovery from depression and mechanisms of action of antidepressants. Recent research results indicate that antidepressant therapy renews the neural network that has become misformed during development, if the formation of the network is simultaneously directed by rehabilitation. The pharmacological and psychological treatment modalities thus intermingle more closely than previously thought. The therapy for depression should aim to optimize the combined effects of different forms of therapy thus obtaining the highest efficacy from them.