Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious and highly disabling mental disorder that can severely impair patients' psychosocial functioning. Major depressive disorder often begins in adolescence and has a high and increasing prevalence among children and adolescents. Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of major depressive disorder among children and adolescents during COVID-19 has increased to 25.2%, which is about twice the prevalence before the pandemic.
Current research on the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder among children and adolescents involves genetics, biochemistry, neuroimmunology, neuroendocrinology, neuroimaging, psychosocial factors, etc. Recently, the development of neuroimaging technology, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), has enabled us to explore the association between functional and structural changes in brain regions of patients with major depressive disorder and relevant pathogenesis. For example, it has been found that the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are involved in the composition of the emotional regulation networks in patients with major depressive disorder. It has also been shown that cortical thickness in frontal and temporal regions can be a predictor of major depressive disorder among children and adolescents. However, relevant studies are still lacking, and more studies with larger samples are needed to explore their specific association. In terms of intervention, the treatment for major depressive disorder among children and adolescents has been dominated by pharmacological methods, which is relatively homogeneous. And the variety of available medications is also more limited compared to those for adults due to safety concerns. Therefore, more efforts and multidisciplinary research are needed to explore more effective and safe treatments for children and adolescents in the future.
This Research Topic aims to gain a better understanding regarding the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder among children and adolescents, and advance the potential therapeutic approaches for this vulnerable population. We welcome all original research articles and reviews related, but not limited to, the following areas:
- The risk factors or protective factors of major depressive disorder among children and adolescents.
- The biochemical, neuroendocrine mechanisms and genetic studies of major depressive disorder among children and adolescents.
- The association between functional and structural changes of brain regions and clinical symptoms in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder.
- The prevalence and influencing factors of self-injury, suicide and psychotic symptoms in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder.
- Treatments of children and adolescents with major depressive disorder, especially the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and ketamine.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious and highly disabling mental disorder that can severely impair patients' psychosocial functioning. Major depressive disorder often begins in adolescence and has a high and increasing prevalence among children and adolescents. Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of major depressive disorder among children and adolescents during COVID-19 has increased to 25.2%, which is about twice the prevalence before the pandemic.
Current research on the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder among children and adolescents involves genetics, biochemistry, neuroimmunology, neuroendocrinology, neuroimaging, psychosocial factors, etc. Recently, the development of neuroimaging technology, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), has enabled us to explore the association between functional and structural changes in brain regions of patients with major depressive disorder and relevant pathogenesis. For example, it has been found that the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are involved in the composition of the emotional regulation networks in patients with major depressive disorder. It has also been shown that cortical thickness in frontal and temporal regions can be a predictor of major depressive disorder among children and adolescents. However, relevant studies are still lacking, and more studies with larger samples are needed to explore their specific association. In terms of intervention, the treatment for major depressive disorder among children and adolescents has been dominated by pharmacological methods, which is relatively homogeneous. And the variety of available medications is also more limited compared to those for adults due to safety concerns. Therefore, more efforts and multidisciplinary research are needed to explore more effective and safe treatments for children and adolescents in the future.
This Research Topic aims to gain a better understanding regarding the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder among children and adolescents, and advance the potential therapeutic approaches for this vulnerable population. We welcome all original research articles and reviews related, but not limited to, the following areas:
- The risk factors or protective factors of major depressive disorder among children and adolescents.
- The biochemical, neuroendocrine mechanisms and genetic studies of major depressive disorder among children and adolescents.
- The association between functional and structural changes of brain regions and clinical symptoms in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder.
- The prevalence and influencing factors of self-injury, suicide and psychotic symptoms in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder.
- Treatments of children and adolescents with major depressive disorder, especially the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and ketamine.