Targeting ferroptosis as a novel strategy for depressive mental disorders

Depression is a common and serious mental disorder that has a significant impact on the quality of life of patients. Currently, the clinical drugs used to treat depression all have certain limitations in their efficacy and cannot fully satisfy the needs. Therefore, it is of great significance to search for new therapeutic targets and develop new antidepressant drugs. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered form of cell death in recent years and has been found to be closely related to the pathophysiological processes of many diseases. Notably, there is also an important connection between ferroptosis and depression.

To better understand the intrinsic connection between the two area, we have summarized research results ranging from cell model studies, animal model studies to clinical observations. Meanwhile, we have analyzed and summarized the mechanism research of ferroptosis in the occurrence and development of depression from aspects such as iron metabolism disorders, lipid peroxidation imbalance, and abnormal functions of the antioxidant system. To explore the research on drug therapeutic targets targeting ferroptosis as a strategy, with the aim of seeking theoretical basis for the research and intervention treatment of depression.