Neurobiology of Depression

Francisco López-Muñoz’s main research areas are the postnatal development of mammals’ pineal gland after chemical sympathectomy, the biological bases of drug abuse, psychiatric disorders and dual diagnosis. He also studies psychotropic drug interactions, the neurobiology of aggressivity, the bibliometric techniques applied to mental health-related disciplines and neuropsychopharmacology, the combination therapies with antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs and the history of the psychopharmacology. Dr. López-Muñoz is editor/author of 14 books and 137 chapters of books related to the psychopharmacology. Cecilio Álamo’s research focuses on the field of neuropsychopharmacology, especially in the area of antidepressants, antipsychotics and analgesics. He has supervised several doctoral theses addressing the pharmacological analysis of mechanisms of action and the tolerance of and dependence on morphine and other analgesics. He has studied the non-endocrinological properties of TRH as an analgesic and anticonvulsant and developed research into new analgesics and antidepressants with serotonergic activity, patenting two of them. He is presently conducting research in pharmacoeconomics, bibliometrics and neuropsychopharmacology. He has published over 70 papers, nearly two dozen books, 100 book chapters and more than 300 papers in Spanish scientific journals.

Animal Models of Depression. Neurophysiological and Neuropsychological Models of Depression. Neural Foundations of Major Depression: Classical Approaches and New Frontiers. Genetic Regulation of Emotion Brain Circuitries. Development of Brain Monoaminergic Systems. Contribution of Pharmacology to Development of Monoaminergic Hypotheses of Depression. Serotonergic Pathways in Depression. Noradrenergic System in Depression. Glutamatergic System and Mood Disorders. Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Etiopathology of Major Depression. Opioid System and Depression. Chronobiological Rhythms, Melatonergic System, and Depression. Corticotropin-Releasing Factor and Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis Regulation of Behavioral Stress Response and Depression. Depression and Cytokine-Regulated Pathways. Tachykinins and Tachykinin Receptor Antagonists in Depression: Therapeutic Implications. Role of Neuropeptide Y in Depression: Current Status. Nitric Oxide Signaling in Depression and Antidepressant Action. Beta-Arrestins in Depression: A Molecular Switch from Signal Desensitization to Alternative Intracellular Adaptor Functions. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Major Depression. Role of Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases in Depression and Antidepressant Activity. Vascular Depression: A Neuropsychological Perspective. Neurobiological Basis for Development of New Antidepressant Agents. Index.