Abstract

A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON RISK FACTORS AND TREATMENT STRATEGIES FOR DEPRESSION

*Aishwarya A. Nandyalkar, Dr. Vishnu A. Kangralkar and Sujata M. Halagekar

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Abstract

Depression is a prevalent psychiatric condition characterized by persistent low mood and functional impairment, posing a significant public health challenge globally. Despite decades of research the precise neurobiological mechanisms underlying depression remain incompletely understood. Genetic predisposition plays a pivotal role in the onset and progression of depression as evidenced by family, twin and adoption studies. Although early genetic investigations such as linkage and association studies laid the groundwork, recent genomewide association studies have highlighted the complexity of genetic contributions emphasizing that multiple variants with small effects interact with environmental factors to influence disease susceptibility. Concurrently, evolving hypotheses-ranging from neurotransmitter imbalances and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction to cytokine-mediated inflammation and impaired neuroplasticity—reflect the multifactorial nature of depression pathogenesis. Recent advances underscore the significance of systemic and multi-organ interactions in disease progression and open avenues for multitarget therapeutic strategies. Additionally, novel pharmacological agents are demonstrating promising outcomes in clinical settings. Depression is also frequently comorbid with various physical illnesses leading to worse prognoses, increased healthcare burden and complex treatment demands. This bidirectional relationship is potentially driven by shared biological and psychological risk factors and lifestyle stressors. Integrated treatment strategies, including lifestyle modifications, Pharmacological Treatments, Psychotherapy, Neuromodulation Techniques are emerging as effective approaches. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of recent developments in the etiology, diagnosis, comorbidity, and management of depression, highlighting ongoing research and future directions for optimized care.

Keywords: Depression, Mood Disorder, Factors for Depression and Treatments.