UNVEILING THE ANTIDEPRESSANT EFFECTS OF EXERCISE: A MECHANISTIC LOOK AT RODENT MODELS OF POST-STROKE DEPRESSION

Abstract

Depression and stroke are two leading contributors to the global socioeconomic burden. Depression, as per the World Health Organization, stands as the "foremost cause of disability worldwide," while stroke ranks among the top three contributors to the overall disease burden. Post-stroke depression (PSD) emerges as the most prevalent neurological and psychiatric complication following a stroke, presenting a spectrum of distressing symptoms, from apathy to self-harm, and even suicide. A recent cross-sectional meta-analysis, incorporating diverse geographical locations, evaluation time frames, and assessment methodologies, revealed a PSD prevalence ranging from 18% to 33%. Furthermore, a longitudinal meta-analysis uncovered that 55% of stroke survivors experienced depression at some point following cerebrovascular incidents, highlighting the cumulative incidence of PSD. Patients afflicted by post-stroke depression face formidable challenges, including elevated mortality rates, substantial cognitive impairment, increased disability risk, diminished quality of life, and heightened susceptibility to suicidal tendencies. The evidence underscores the urgency of addressing PSD to alleviate the physical, emotional, and societal burdens that it inflicts on stroke survivors.