TY - JOUR AB - The present study aimed to review major depression, including its types, epidemiology, association with different diseases status and treatments, as well as its correlation with the current COVID-19 pandemic. Mental depression is a common disorder that affects most individuals at one time or another. During depression, there are changes in mood and behavior, accompanied by feelings of defeat, hopelessness, or even suicidal thoughts. Depression has a direct or indirect relation with a number of other diseases including Alzheimer's disease, stroke, epilepsy, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. In addition, antidepressant drugs have several side effects including sedation, increased weight, indigestion, sexual dysfunction, or a decrease in blood pressure. Stopping medication may cause a relapse of the symptoms of depression and pose a risk of attempted suicide. The pandemic of COVID-19 has affected the mental health of individuals, including patients, individuals contacting patients and medical staff with a number of mental disorders that may adversely affect the immune ability of their bodies. Some of the drugs currently included in the protocols for treating COVID-19 may negatively affect the mental health of patients. Evidence accumulated over the years indicates that serotonin (5HT) deficiencies and norepinephrine (NE) in the brain can lead to mental depression. Drugs that increase levels of NE and 5HT are commonly used in the treatment of depression. The common reason for mood disorders, including mania and bipolar disease are not clearly understood. It is assumed that hyperactivity in specific parts of the brain and excessive activity of neurotransmitters may be involved. Early diagnosis and developing new treatment strategies are essential for the prevention of the severe consequences of depression. In addition, extensive research should be directed towards the investigation of the mental health disturbances occurring during and/or after COVID-19 infection. This may lead to the incorporation of a suitable antidepressant into the current treatment protocols. AD - Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraydah, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraydah, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia AU - Abdel-Bakky,Mohamed,S. AU - Amin,Elham AU - Faris,Tarek,M. AU - Abdellatif,Ahmed,A.H. DA - 2021/12/01 DO - 10.3892/mmr.2021.12479 IS - 6 JO - Mol Med Rep KW - major depression neurotransmitters molecular mechanism COVID-19 latest treatments mental health PY - 2021 SN - 1791-2997 1791-3004 SP - 839 ST - Mental depression: Relation to different disease status, newer treatments and its association with COVID-19 pandemic (Review) T2 - Molecular Medicine Reports TI - Mental depression: Relation to different disease status, newer treatments and its association with COVID-19 pandemic (Review) UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2021.12479 VL - 24 ER -