Nowoczesne techniki wykorzystywane do badań eksperymentalnych zaburzonej plastyczności neuronalnej w depresji

Depression is the most common psychiatric disease but the effectiveness of available therapies is limited. The underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms are largely unknown and significantly limit the treatment strategies. Neuronal plasticity is crucial for adaptation of the central nervous system to the environment and requires the reorganization of existing synapses, their structure and efficacy of information transfer. Aversive cues such as stress or pain when chronic may induce depression and aberrant neuronal plasticity on the cellular level. In this article we present selected experimental techniques currently employed in studies of the pathomechanism of depression, including structural imaging, electrophysiology and proteomic analysis. We also review current animal models that reflect some aspects of depression observed in humans. Combining of multidisciplinary approach and multiple research techniques with animal models should provide us with a better understanding of the pathomechanism of depression and allow to formulate more efficient therapies.