Unresolved Systemic Inflammation, Long COVID, and the Common Pathomechanisms of Somatic and Psychiatric Comorbidity

Chih-Sung Liang1,2, Piotr Gałecki3, Kuan-Pin Su4,5,6

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Beitou Branch, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 112, Taiwan.

Insights

The monoamine hypothesis for major depressive disorder (MDD) is likely overestimated, as treatments targeting it show limited effectiveness. New research directions are needed to understand and treat MDD more effectively.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The prevailing monoamine hypothesis of major depressive disorder (MDD) suggests that reduced monoamine neurotransmission underlies the condition.
  • Treatments and biomarkers based on the monoamine hypothesis have yielded modest effects in clinical trials.

Discussion:

  • The effectiveness of monoamine-targeted treatments in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case-control studies is limited.
  • This suggests that the monoamine hypothesis may overestimate the role of monoamines in MDD pathophysiology.

Key Insights:

  • The monoamine hypothesis's central role in understanding MDD is being questioned due to modest treatment outcomes.
  • Current therapeutic strategies and diagnostic biomarkers for MDD may require re-evaluation.

Outlook:

  • Future research should explore alternative hypotheses and novel therapeutic targets beyond the monoamine system.
  • Developing more effective biomarkers and treatments for MDD necessitates a broader understanding of its complex biological underpinnings.

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