Neurogenesis: What is its role in the cause and cure of depression?

Evidence suggests that current antidepressants increase the number of new neurons. This suggests robust activators of the process might be more effective antidepressants. Stress plays a role in depression and decreases the rate of neurogenesis. Does decreased neurogenesis cause a depressed state or simply often accompany this condition? We review animal studies, which suggest that the latter may be the case, making this a less attractive target for new therapies.

Section editors:David Sibley – National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USAC. Anthony Altar – Psychiatric Genomics, Gaithersburg, USATheresa Branchek – Lundbeck Research, Paramus, USA