Drug Design, Development and Therapy

Next-Generation Treatments for Depression: From Novel Compounds to Optimized Use of Available Drugs

Depression is one of the most prevalent and debilitating mental health conditions worldwide. It encompasses a range of clinical presentations, from unipolar major depression to bipolar depression. Furthermore, despite the wide availability of pharmacological treatments, many patients fail to achieve remission. In recent years, there has been a surge in research into novel pharmacological agents, ranging from rapid-acting antidepressants to drugs that target previously unexplored neurobiological mechanisms. This Collection here collects studies that critically evaluate the efficacy, safety, mechanisms of action and clinical application of these emerging treatments for unipolar and bipolar depression, including treatment-resistant forms.