Brain changes in depression.
Open accessAbstract
The present review addresses major depressive disorder (MDD) and the implications of antidepressant treatment in the field of brain neuroplasticity, an effect initially considered adjacent but currently passed as central in the process of remission of MDD. Both in experimental animal studies and in human studies in subjects with mood disorders, neuroplasticity is considered the fundamental mechanism of neural defense against stress. Stress is the mediator between neurofunctional, neuroendocrine, neurobiological and neuroimmune disorders and depressive pathology of various intensities. Neurons have a high potential to adapt to the influences of internal and external factors. We are talking about neuroplasticity at different levels: structural neuroplasticity involving adult neurogenesis (such as plastic changes, dendritic reconstruction, when the morphology of the spine is affected); synaptic functional neuroplasticity and molecular and cellular mechanisms involved. These two major dimensions explain the pathophysiology of depression, as well as the convergence of the mechanisms involved in stress, major depressive decompensations, and the concept of neuroplasticity as the present target for new effective and potent antidepressant treatments.
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Anxiety and stress are more likely to be feelings of worry and insecurity caused by negative events, whereas depression is more likely to be influenced by multiple factors, including biomedical factors, which could be difficult to change with short-term psychological interventions.
“Moreover, anxiety and stress are more likely to be feelings of worry and insecurity caused by negative events, whereas depression is more likely to be influenced by multiple factors, including biomedical factors, which could be difficult to change with short-term psychological interventions (60, 61).”
From Mindfulness-based online intervention on mental health among undergraduate nursing students during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Beijing, China: A randomized controlled trial (2022) · cites this paper as [60]
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“This aligns with recent literature that suggests that the influence of depression on the brain may be mediated via changes in neurochemistry or brain plasticity, then leading to alterations in cognitive abilities (see [41]).”
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“11,12 Psychosocial factors also influence the prevalence and severity of depression and anxiety in PD. 6 Chronic stress, social isolation, caregiver strain, and perceived stigma associated with PD can exacerbate psychological symptoms.”
Kom, B. T. D., Ngoupaye, G. T., Yassi, F. B., Foutsop, A. F., Adassi, M. B., Ngoufack, B. S., & Bum, E. N. (2025) · IBRO Neuroscience Reports · doi:10.1016/j.ibneur.2025.03.002 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Depression has multiple causes, with involvement from various brain regions (such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex), as well as complex neural pathways (Trifu et al. 2020).”
Hozak, S. V., Єлізарова, О. Т., Stankevych, T. V., & Парац, А. (2024) · Medical Science of Ukraine (MSU) · doi:10.32345/2664-4738.4.2024.09 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Zerroug, Y., Marin, M., Brendgen, M. R., Beauchamp, M. H., Séguin, J. R., Côté, S. M., & Herba, C. M. (2025) · Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.cpnec.2025.100311 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Studies show significant changes and impairments in brain regions where glucocorticoid receptors are predominant, such as the prefrontal cortex and the limbic system, in adolescents and adults in clinical sample [54].”
Amalo, R. B., Budiawan, H., & Kartamihardja, A. H. S. (2025) · Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging · doi:10.1007/s13139-025-00968-4 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Lemeshova, A., Patel, K. A., Bloom, A. J., Golan, L., Haidari, H., Limbada, A., Zhao, C., & Honeycutt, J. A. (2025) · Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2025.174144 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Prevalence of Cognitive Impairment Amongst Older Adults and the Associated Risk Factors
Muhammed, Z. F., Hussain, A. H., & Abdalrazak, H. A. (2024) · Kurdistan Journal of Applied Research · doi:10.24017/science.2024.1.10 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Depression can be a risk factor for developing or accelerating CI and dementia, as long-term or recurrent depressive episodes may lead to structural and functional brain changes affecting cognitive function [50].”
BackgroundBourin, M. (2023) · Archives of Depression and Anxiety · doi:10.17352/2455-5460.000072
MRI brain findings in patients with depression and type 2 diabetes – a scoping review
Chetty, R. R., Konar, K. D., & Pillay, S. (2023) · Journal of Endocrinology Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa · doi:10.1080/16089677.2023.2244801
“15 Furthermore, other changes have been observed, including reduced brain volume in depression, as demonstrated by Trifu et al . when comparing patients with and without depression, 16 as well as vascular-related depression, which was emphasised by George et al .”
BackgroundA Classification Method for Depression Based on MRI
Zhou, C., Zeng, F., & Xing, J. (2023) · International Computer Conference on Wavelet Active Media Technology and Information Processing (ICCWAMTIP) · doi:10.1109/iccwamtip60502.2023.10387112
“Due to the long-term illness of depression patients, depression patients often have some differences in brain structure compared to normal individuals [3].”
BackgroundRobinson, L. S., Ashley, K. D., Ervin, T. B., Smith, T., & Lee, L. T. (2024) · The Journal for Nurse Practitioners · doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2024.105104 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Kerna, N. A., Flores, J. V., Zhao, X., Taha, W. T. M., Pruitt, K. D., Carsrud, N. D. V., Ngwu, D. C., Holets, H. M., Azi, C. I., Jomsky, B. M., et al. (2024) · European Journal of Medical and Health Research · doi:10.59324/ejmhr.2024.2(4).02
Kucher, S. V., Бударна, О. Ю., Ткачук, В., Воронцова, Т., Horishnyi, I. M., & Rohalska, Y. V. (2024) · Перспективи та інновації науки · doi:10.52058/2786-4952-2024-8(42)-1106-1120 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
The role of neuroplasticity in the etiology and treatment of depressive disorders
Konstantinović, I., & Trandafilović, M. (2024) · Acta Facultatis Medicae Naissensis · doi:10.5937/afmnai41-48899
Murtala, A. A., Oyinloye, E. O., Oladoja, F. A., Fageyinbo, M. S., Olasore, H. S. A., Ogunjimi, L. O., Alabi, A., Olooto, W. E., Soyinka, O. O., Faponle, A. S., et al. (2025) · Natural Product Communications · doi:10.1177/1934578x251317591
Application of Optogenetic Neuromodulation in Regulating Depression
Zhang, J. C., Peng, X., Li, M., Zhang, X.-M., & Xiang, H.-C. (2025) · Current Medical Science · doi:10.1007/s11596-025-00037-z
“These regions include the prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, striatum, amygdala, and hippocampus, among others [36].”
Lin, K., Hasegawa, K., Rapelli, V. R., Yang, J., Parsey, R. V., & DeLorenzo, C. (2025) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-6257703/v1
Lin, K., Hasegawa, K., Rapelli, V. R., Yang, J., Parsey, R. V., & DeLorenzo, C. (2026) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-026-43078-7
Moesgaard, C., Wolsing, S. K., & Hjorth, P. (2026) · Issues in Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1080/01612840.2026.2645385
“These experiences mirror established evidence linking insomnia with increased depression severity, relapse risk, and suicidal ideation (Freeman et al., 2020; Scammell et al., 2023; Trifu et al., 2020).”
Differentiating Between Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder
Muneer, A. (2026) · Advances in experimental medicine and biology · doi:10.1007/978-981-95-6872-7_4
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Avaliação dos Níveis de Sintomas de Ansiedade e Depressão em Reclusas de Malanje, Angola
Baião, A. P., Manuel, F., & Chimbuco, B. N. (2026) · Revista Angolana de Ciencias · doi:10.54580/r0801.15
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- Authors
- Trifu, S. C., Trifu, A. C., Aluaş, E., Tătaru, M. A., & Costea, R. V.
- Affiliations
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (RO)
- Department of General Medicine, Medical Military Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- University of Bucharest (RO)
- Venue
- Romanian Journal of Morphology and Embryology
- Publisher
- Societatea Romana de Morfologie
- Published
- 2020
- Volume
- 61
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 361-370
- ISSN
- 1220-0522 (ISSN-L)
- 2066-8279
- PMC
- PMC7864313
- OpenAlex
- W3126847471
- Cited by
- 59
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 0.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Locations
- Romanian Journal of Morphology and Embryology (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Keywords
- major depressive disorder, neuroplasticity, antidepressant treatment, adult neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, dendritic spine morphology, stress, neuroimmunological diseases, neuroendocrine disorders, depression pathophysiology, remission
- MeSH terms
- Brain, Major Depressive Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Major, Humans
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