@article{ref1,
title="Biological correlates of early life stressful events in major depressive disorder",
journal="Psychoneuroendocrinology",
year="2020",
author="Silva, Rosana Carvalho and Maffioletti, Elisabetta and Gennarelli, Massimo and Baune, Bernhard T. and Minelli, Alessandra",
volume="125",
number="",
pages="e105103-e105103",
abstract="Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common psychiatric disorder and responds  for important psychosocial consequences. Stressful life events, especially early  life stress (ELS), contribute to an increased probability to develop MDD, leading in  particular to severe and chronic manifestation and unfavorable treatment outcome. The association between ELS and MDD seems to have biological bases, consisting in  dysregulations occurring at different levels. The aim of this narrative review is to  propose an overview of the literature ranging from genetic, epigenetic, expression  and protein to neuroimaging correlates underlying this relationship. A search on  Pubmed of studies assessing biological correlates of ELS in MDD development,  focusing on human studies conducted in both peripheral and brain tissues, was  performed. Evidence indicated that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and  the serotonergic, dopaminergic, neurotrophin and oxytocin systems might play a role  in the mediation between ELS and MDD. The most consistent results were found for  genetic and epigenetic studies and indicated a joint involvement of the systems  mentioned. Expression studies are less numerous and point to an involvement of  stress-related systems. Concerning protein studies, the main mediators are markers  related to the inflammatory and immune systems. Neuroimaging studies aiming at  evaluating brain alterations connecting ELS and MDD in relation to biomarkers  indicated the hippocampus, the amygdala and the frontal cortex as important  anatomical mediators. These findings can build the bases for future research and  clinical interventions; indeed, the clarification of biological mechanisms mediating  the relationship between ELS and MDD can lead to new and individualized preventive  and therapeutic possibilities.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0306-4530",
doi="10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.105103",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.105103"
}