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Network Pharmacology and Validation of the Antidepressant Mechanisms of Qiangzhifang in a Chronic Restraint Stress-induced Depression Rat Model

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Agitated depression in substance dependence.

Adam M Leventhal¹, Joel Gelernter, David Oslin

¹Departments of Preventive Medicine and Psychology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

|February 1, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Agitated depression is linked to substance dependence, especially with opioids. The type of major depressive episode (MDE) did not significantly change these associations, indicating complex underlying mechanisms.

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Area of Science:

Psychiatry
Neuroscience
Genetics

Background:

Psychomotor agitation (PMA) in depression, or "agitated depression," is a recognized phenotype.
Its association with substance dependence is known but requires further investigation across substance types and depression subtypes.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between lifetime depression with psychomotor agitation (PMA) and lifetime substance dependence.
To compare these associations in individuals with independent major depressive episodes (I-MDE) versus substance-induced major depressive episodes (SI-MDE).

Main Methods:

Utilized pooled data from family and genetic studies of substance dependence.
Conducted structured interviews to diagnose DSM-IV mental disorders in individuals with I-MDE only (n=575) and SI-MDE only (n=1683).

Main Results:

In I-MDE, PMA was associated with dependence on alcohol, cocaine, opioids, other drugs, and sedatives. Opioid, other drug, and sedative dependence associations remained significant after controlling for co-factors.
In SI-MDE, PMA was associated with alcohol, cocaine, opioid, and other drug dependence. Cocaine and opioid dependence associations remained significant after adjusting for co-factors.
The association between PMA and opioid dependence was stronger in I-MDE than SI-MDE.

Conclusions:

Agitated depression is associated with specific substance dependencies, most notably opioid dependence.
The subtype of major depressive episode (MDE) did not significantly alter most PMA-dependence associations.
The complex and potentially bidirectional mechanisms underlying this comorbidity warrant further research.