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The Complex Role of Serotonin-Dopamine-Glutamate Receptors in Major Depression
Laura Orsolini1, Giulio Longo2, Michele Giordano2
1Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neurosciences/DIMSC, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy. l.orsolini@staff.univpm.it.
Abstract:
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is increasingly considered as a multifactorial neuropsychiatric disease involving dysregulation over multiple neurotransmitter systems. This chapter examines the complex role of serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate receptors in the pathophysiology of MDD, with a focus on their contributions to emotional regulation, reward processing, and synaptic plasticity. Recent evidence from pharmacological, genetic, and neuroimaging studies highlighted the involvement of receptor subtypes-such as 5-HT1A, 5-HT1A/C, D1-D3, and both ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors-in mediating depressive symptoms and therapeutic responses. This chapter will point out potential targets for innovative and rapid-acting antidepressant strategies, emphasizing the need for personalized treatment approaches in MDD.
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