ReviewNovel therapeutic targets in depression: Minocycline as a candidate treatment

Mood disorders are marked by high rates of non-recovery, recurrence, and chronicity, which are insufficiently addressed by current therapies. Several patho-etiological models have been proposed that are not mutually exclusive and include but are not limited to the monoamine, inflammatory, neurotrophic, gliotrophic, excitatory, and oxidative stress systems. A derivative of these observations is that treatment(s) which target one or more of these mechanistic steps may be capable of mitigating, or preventing, disparate psychopathological features. Minocycline is an agent with pleiotropic properties that targets multiple proteins and cellular processes implicated in the patho-etiology of mood disorders. Moreover, preclinical and preliminary clinical evidence suggests that minocycline possesses antidepressant properties. Herein, we provide the rationale for conducting a randomized, controlled trial to test the antidepressant properties of minocycline.

► Regional cell loss and brain atrophy in mood disorders may be a consequence of impaired neuroplasticity. ► Neuroplasticity is regulated by neurotrophic, inflammatory, oxidative, glutamatergic pathways. ► Abnormalities in these systems are implicated in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. ► Minocycline exerts effects on neuroplasticity and targets these interacting systems. ► Evidence indicates that minocycline may be a viable treatment option for mood disorders.