African Journal of
Pharmacy and Pharmacology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Pharm. Pharmacol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0816
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPP
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 2286

Review

Could neuroplasticity be an answer to different antidepressants efficacy among individuals?

Z. H. Zheng
  • Z. H. Zheng
  • Guangdong Province Pharmaceutical Association, Guangzhou, China.
  • Google Scholar
Y. T. Zeng
  • Y. T. Zeng
  • Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangzhou, China.
  • Google Scholar
J. H. Tao
  • J. H. Tao
  • Guangdong Province Pharmaceutical Association, Guangzhou, China.
  • Google Scholar
J. J. Duan
  • J. J. Duan
  • Fengxian Central Hospital, Shanghai, China.
  • Google Scholar
T. Zhou
  • T. Zhou
  • Fengxian Central Hospital, Shanghai, China.
  • Google Scholar
F. Xu
  • F. Xu
  • Fengxian Central Hospital, Shanghai, China.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Accepted: 10 September 2012
  •  Published: 15 January 2014

Abstract

Neuroplasticity is nervous system changes that occur in response to experience. Different individuals may have different neuroplasticity due to their different experiences. Even monozygotic twins may develop different neuroplasticity. Depression is a disorder of decreased neuroplasticity. Recent evidences suggest that antidepressants act by enhancing neuroplasticity, which allows environmental inputs to modify the neuronal networks to better fine tune the individual to the outside world. Meanwhile, there is a great individual difference of antidepressant response. So, it was concluded that variance of neuroplasticity in the depressant patients may play a role for individual difference of antidepressant efficacy.

Key words: Neuroplasticity, antidepressant, individual difference.