Thiazolidinediones: From antioxidant to neurotherapeutic?

SummaryA prevailing paradigm regarding the pathophysiology of mood disorders posits that these syndromes are possibly neurodegenerative. Alterations in interacting biological networks which subserve metabolism, inflammation, immune function, and stress response are hypothesized to mediate the neurotoxicity and allostasis associated with mood disorders. Preclinical evidence indicates that thiazolidinediones (TZDs) exert neurotherapeutic (e.g., neurotrophic) effects. Preliminary clinical evidence also suggests that TZDs may be salutary for mental disorders in which neurocognitive deficits are a central feature. We propose that TZDs constitute a potentially novel disease-modifying treatment avenue for mood disorders.