Sains Malaysiana 54(2)(2025): 577-587

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2025-5402-22

Decoding Depression: Insights into Molecular Biomarkers and Neuroimaging of Depression

(Penyahkodan Kemurungan: Pandangan tentang Molekul Penanda Biologi dan Pengimejan Neuro Kemurungan)

REEMA ALMADODI¹ & AIMI SYAMIMA ABDUL MANAP^2,*

¹School of Bioscience, Faculty of Health and Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610 Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, Selangor, Malaysia
²Department of Biomedical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, P.O Box 380 Al Ahsa 31982, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Received: 12 January 2024/Accepted: 26 November 2024

Abstract

In this review, we explore the recent insights on major depressive disorder (MDD) and emphasizes the involvement of specific genes, particularly in MDD development. The paper consolidates and examines various biological, epigenetic, and environmental factors contributing to depression, illustrating the intricate interplay among these elements. Interestingly, molecular and neuroimaging findings are summarized and discussed, acknowledging the current absence of reliable biomarkers for MDD. This absence is attributed to the structural and functional complexity of the brain, the limitations of available technology, and the weak correlations between genetic markers and clinical manifestations of depression. Interestingly, in somatic treatment, only electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been proven effective in treating resistant depression. In conclusion, this article critically reviews the molecular biomarkers and neuroimaging of depression. Existing mechanisms such as the biogenic amine hypothesis and genetic and environmental factors are recognized for explaining depression’s pathophysiology. The potential for neuroimaging and molecular studies to yield promising biomarkers for depression is highlighted.

Keywords: Depression; dopamine; environmental; genetics; MMD; MRI

Abstrak

Dalam ulasan ini, kami mengkaji pandangan terkini tentang gangguan kemurungan utama (MDD) dan menekankan penglibatan gen tertentu, terutamanya dalam pembangunan MDD. Kertas ini menyatu dan meneliti pelbagai faktor biologi, epigenetik dan persekitaran yang menyumbang kepada kemurungan, menggambarkan interaksi rumit antara unsur ini. Menariknya, penemuan molekul dan pengimejan neuro diringkaskan dan dibincangkan, mengakui ketiadaan semasa penanda biologi yang boleh dipercayai untuk MDD. Ketiadaan ini dikaitkan dengan kerumitan struktur dan fungsi otak, batasan teknologi sedia ada serta korelasi yang lemah antara penanda genetik dan manifestasi klinikal kemurungan. Menariknya, dalam rawatan somatik, hanya terapi elektrokonvulsif (ECT) telah terbukti berkesan dalam merawat rintangan kemurungan. Kesimpulannya, kertas ini mengkaji secara kritis penanda biologi molekul kemurungan dan pencitraan saraf. Mekanisme sedia ada, seperti hipotesis amina biogen serta faktor genetik dan persekitaran diiktiraf untuk menjelaskan patofisiologi kemurungan. Potensi untuk kajian pengimejan neuro dan molekul untuk menghasilkan penanda biologi yang berpotensi untuk kemurungan dibincangkan.

Kata kunci: Alam sekitar; dopamin; genetik; kemurungan; MMD; MRI

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*Corresponding author; email: amanap@kfu.edu.sa