Depression is a common and devastating neuropsychiatric disorder, affect approximately 5% of the population and a better understanding of its pathophysiology is needed to improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Research has revealed some promising approaches that hold considerable therapeutic promise for the treatment of a range of neuropsychiatric disorders which include deep-brain stimulation (DBS), chronic administration of BDNF in mediating antidepressant effects and stimulation of mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system originating in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Ventral tegmental area (VTA) neuronal activity plays an important role in reward-related learning and motivation. It is the origin of dopaminergic neuron cell bodies in the mesolimbic system and represents a reasonable site for intervention through DBS.

doi : 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.2009.160106

Competing interests: None.     Source of Funding: None

Received Date: 09 March 2009     Revised Date: 28 March 2009     Accepted Date: 11 April 2009