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Long-term Depression

Long-term Depression

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.

Long-term Depression

Long-term Depression

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 time, all...

Antidepressant Drugs: Overview

Antidepressant Drugs: Overview

Antidepressant drugs are a class of medications primarily used for treating various mood disorders, including major depression, anxiety disorders, and other related conditions. These medicines work by modulating the neurotransmitter balance within the brain, alleviating depressive symptoms. Antidepressants can be broadly categorized into several groups according to their mechanism of action and chemical structure: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin-Norepinephrine...

Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs

Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), including Desipramine (Norpramin), Imipramine (Tofranil), Clomipramine (Anafranil), and Amitriptyline (Elavil), inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake and also block other receptors. They are used for depression, pain conditions, and insomnia. Common adverse effects include anticholinergic effects, sedation, orthostatic hypotension, and weight gain. They have a narrow therapeutic window and so require plasma-level monitoring. Abrupt discontinuation can...

Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents

Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents

Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), and vilazodone (Viibryd), offer unique mechanisms of action. Bupropion weakly inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, aiding depression treatment and smoking cessation, with a low risk of sexual dysfunction. Mirtazapine enhances serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmission, leading to sedation, increased appetite, and weight gain. As a result, it helps treat...

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or shock therapy, remains a critical biomedical intervention for severe, treatment-resistant depression. While its origins can be traced back to Hippocrates' observations that malaria-induced convulsions alleviated mental illness, modern ECT has evolved significantly from its earlier, more primitive applications. First introduced in 1938 by Ugo Cerletti and his colleagues, ECT involves inducing controlled seizures using electrical currents. In its early years,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

The NeuroStar TMS Device: Conducting the FDA Approved Protocol for Treatment of Depression

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Antidepressants in long-term treatment

S A Montgomery¹

¹Department of Psychiatry, St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, London, England.

Annual Review of Medicine

|January 1, 1994

Summary

Long-term treatment is crucial for managing depression to prevent relapse and reduce new episodes. Continued antidepressant use, considering efficacy and safety, is vital for sustained recovery in patients with depression.

Area of Science:

Psychiatry
Pharmacology

Background:

Depression management increasingly recognizes the necessity of long-term treatment strategies.
Preventing relapse and consolidating treatment response requires ongoing care beyond acute symptom resolution.

Purpose of the Study:

To emphasize the importance of extended treatment durations for depression.
To guide the selection of antidepressants for long-term use based on efficacy and safety profiles.

Main Methods:

Review of current clinical guidelines and research on depression treatment.
Analysis of antidepressant efficacy, safety, and tolerability for long-term management.

Main Results:

A minimum of four months of continuation treatment post-response is recommended for all depression patients.

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Prophylactic antidepressant treatment significantly reduces the risk of recurrent depressive episodes.

Long-term antidepressant use is necessary as the risk of new episodes does not diminish over time.

Conclusions:

Long-term treatment is a cornerstone in managing depression, essential for preventing relapse and recurrence.
Antidepressant selection for prolonged therapy must prioritize long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability.
Established antidepressants like imipramine and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are well-tested options for sustained depression management.