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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

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

Epigenetics, depression and antidepressant treatment.

Andreas Menke¹, Torsten Klengel, Elisabeth B Binder

¹Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany. menke@mpipsykl.mpg.de

Current Pharmaceutical Design

|June 12, 2012

Summary

Major depression has significant genetic links, but "missing heritability" suggests other factors are involved. Epigenetic factors, which can be influenced by drugs, offer potential new avenues for treating depression.

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Area of Science:

Psychiatry
Genetics
Molecular Biology

Background:

Major depression exhibits significant heritability, estimated between 37% and 70% in twin studies.
Despite strong genetic links, molecular genetic studies have identified few genes, leading to the

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the role of epigenetic factors in the pathogenesis and treatment of major depression.
To investigate the potential of epigenetic mechanisms as therapeutic targets for major depression.

Main Methods:

Review of clinical and preclinical studies on epigenetics in major depression.
Examination of epigenetic alterations in genes related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and neurotrophin system.

Main Results:

Epigenetic factors, including DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs, are implicated in major depression.
Psychopharmacologic drugs may exert effects by inducing epigenetic changes.
Epigenetic alterations are potentially reversible, suggesting therapeutic potential.

Conclusions:

Epigenetic mechanisms are crucial in major depression pathogenesis and treatment.
Targeting epigenetic alterations offers a promising strategy for developing novel antidepressant therapies.