BIOCHEMISTRY OF DEPRESSION AND THE ROLE OF BDNF (BRAIN-DERIVED NEUROTROPIC FACTOR) IN ALLEVIATING ITS SYMPTOMS

Depression is a complex mental health condition that affects a person's thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. It goes beyond just feeling sad or upset; it can significantly impact a person's daily life, relationships, and physical health. Some common symptoms of depression include persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, changes in appetite or weight, difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, lack of energy or fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide. Women are more affected by depression than men. Approximately 280 million people worldwide live with depression. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a key brain protein that plays a crucial role in neuronal survival, growth, and differentiation.It is essential for the development, function, and plasticity of the nervous system, including the formation and maintenance of synapses, which are crucial for communication between neurons.