Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Depressive Disorders: Etiology01:27

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

796
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...
796
Depression: Overview01:18

Depression: Overview

1.1K
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,...
1.1K
Evolutionary Psychology01:20

Evolutionary Psychology

1.1K
Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the...
1.1K
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia01:27

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

921
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...
921
Long-term Depression01:03

Long-term Depression

3.5K
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...
3.5K
Long-term Depression01:05

Long-term Depression

33.5K
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.
33.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Nocturnal vagus nerve stimulation enhances cognitive functions in patients with early Alzheimer's disease.

Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD·2026
Same author

CXCL12/CXCR4 axis as a modulator of neurotransmission in depression: A neuroimmune perspective.

Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews·2026
Same author

Expert group recommendations on the use of antipsychotic drugs in patients with somatic diseases. Part I: (metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases).

Psychiatria polska·2026
Same author

Expert group recommendations on the use of antipsychotic drugs in patients with somatic diseases. Part II: renal failure, liver failure, neurological diseases.

Psychiatria polska·2026
Same author

Genetics and Neurobiology of Treatment-Resistant Depression-A Review.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025
Same author

Bipolar disorder in children, adolescents, and young adults. Part 1. Clinical symptoms and differential diagnosis. Recommendations under the patronage of the Executive Board of the Polish Psychiatric Association, National Consultants in the field of Psychiatry and National Consultants in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Psychiatria polska·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model CDM
05:47

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model CDM

Published on: September 23, 2021

8.2K

The Evolutionary Theory of Depression.

Piotr Gałecki1, Monika Talarowska1

  • 1Department of Adult Psychiatry, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland.

Medical Science Monitor : International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research
|May 14, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Human evolution, marked by upright posture and advanced frontal lobes, may come at a cost. This evolutionary success potentially exposes Homo sapiens to environmental factors, raising questions about depression as an evolutionary price.

More Related Videos

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior
05:42

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

Published on: March 2, 2015

40.2K
An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents
06:55

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents

Published on: December 2, 2015

23.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model CDM
05:47

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model CDM

Published on: September 23, 2021

8.2K
The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior
05:42

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

Published on: March 2, 2015

40.2K
An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents
06:55

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents

Published on: December 2, 2015

23.6K

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Homo sapiens evolutionary success is linked to bipedalism and significant frontal lobe development, particularly Broca's area.
  • The highly developed frontal lobes, while advantageous, represent a vulnerability in the human brain.
  • Environmental factors can impact these vulnerable frontal lobes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the hypothesis that depression may be a consequence of human evolution.
  • To investigate the link between frontal lobe development and susceptibility to environmental stressors.
  • To understand the evolutionary cost of human brain development.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of human evolution and brain development.
  • Review of neurological and psychiatric studies on frontal lobe function.
  • Examination of environmental impacts on brain health.

Main Results:

  • Upright posture freed hands, enabling tool use and complex manipulation.
  • Intensive frontal lobe development, especially Broca's area, facilitated advanced cognition and language.
  • The frontal lobes, despite their advantages, are susceptible to environmental damage.

Conclusions:

  • The unique evolutionary trajectory of Homo sapiens, particularly brain development, may confer vulnerabilities.
  • Depression could be interpreted as a potential cost associated with human evolutionary advancements.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between evolution, brain structure, and mental health.