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  • Essay / Depression as a cause of serious health problems and suicide

    With an aging global population, depression among older adults is emerging as a serious public health problem. Currently, it is estimated that nearly 8-16% of community-dwelling older adults (>65 years) suffer from clinically significant depressive symptoms1, an indicator of significant morbidity and early mortality2. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is also the leading precursor to suicide and the second leading cause of global disease burden by 2020. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay The overall prevalence of depression is 9%, that of major depressive episodes is 36%, and the average age of onset of depression is 31.9 years. in India.3. The older age of a depressed patient is a significant predictor of an unfavorable outcome with an increased risk of relapse3, a reduced probability of response to treatment4,5 and a decreased chance of functional recovery6. Furthermore, the emergence of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is common among older adults, with an estimated rate between 26 and 41 per 100 people per year7. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of antidepressants reveal a weaker therapeutic effect in older adults than in older adults. to younger age groups5. This difference may be related to differences in the pathophysiology and phenomenology of depression in older adults. Inaccurate assessment and incorrect diagnosis of depression in its early stages can also prevent effective care of people with depression. Having been recognized as a multifactorial disease, the total contribution of genetic factors to the origin of the disease, heritability, is estimated at almost 40%8. Thus, relevant DNA sequence variations in potential candidate genes contributing to susceptibility to depression remain to be explored. Many studies have reported the involvement of abnormal gene expression or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of neurotransmitter genes in the development of depression9. Neurotransmitters (NA) are chemical messengers that transmit signals from one nerve cell to another. They play a central role in the pathophysiology of brain disorders and therefore constitute targets for pharmacological treatments. Many recent studies have shown that reduced levels of neurotransmitters at the synapse are the cause of depression or mood disorders10. Dysfunction of dopaminergic neurotransmission has also been suggested in the pathophysiology of depression. Several studies have therefore reported that plasma levels of the dopamine metabolite (HVA) are lower in depressed patients11. In contrast, suicide victims without a history of depression have normal levels of HVA, dopamine, and NA, based on the results of some autopsy studies12. . Neurotransmitters play an essential role in these pathological states; they therefore constitute the main targets for the treatment of nervous system disorders and mental health problems. Considering the urgent need to prevent mental disorders in the geriatric population and to elucidate the genetic basis of mental illness and its complications; and with a growing understanding of the impact of genetic variability on the development of mental illness, a current case-control study is designed. It will give us a better understanding of the origin and pathogenesis of this complication. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a paper.