Stress, glucocorticoids and glutamate release: Effects of antidepressant drugs

► Stress is a risk factor for neuropsychiatric disorders. ► Stress/glucocorticoids enhance glutamate release in limbic/cortical areas. ► Enhanced glutamate release causes dendritic remodeling in select brain areas. ► Dendritic remodeling may induce volumetric reductions of brain areas in depression. ► Antidepressants prevent enhancement of glutamate release and dendritic remodeling.