The genomics of mood disorders

Publisher Summary Impairments in cellular plasticity and resilience may play a central role in the underlying biology of mood disorders. The chapter describes the clinical disorders such as bipolar disorder (BPD) and unipolar depression that are classified as mood disorders. The genomics of these clinical disorders is also presented. New medications that imitate the traditional drugs, those aiming to directly or indirectly alter monoaminergic throughput, may be of limited benefit to those patients with refractory depression. The chapter presents the evidence indicating that, in addition to neurochemical changes, many patients suffering from mood disorders also have marked structural alterations in crucial neuronal circuits. Using the insights from recent gene profiling studies, the pathophysiology of severe mood disorders is discussed. The use of clues from animal models to identify a rodent genome sequence for a disease might similarly improve the efficiency of identifying disease vulnerability in humans. Relevant genotypes for mood disorders are identified and clinical research techniques are now capable of defining neurobiological phenotypes. The results from transcription and proteomic studies that identified neurotrophic signaling as targets for the long-term actions of antidepressants and mood stabilizers have played a role (along with neuroimaging and postmortem brain studies) in a reconceptualization about the pathophysiology, course and optimal long-term treatment of severe mood disorders.