Research Progress on the Application of PI3K/AKT Pathway in the Treatment of Depression

Abstract

Depression, also known as depressive disorder, is a common psychological disorder. The phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway can affect neurophysiological processes directly related to depression, such as synaptic transmission and neuroinflammatory response, by regulating downstream key molecules. This article explores the impact of the PI3K/ AKT pathway on depression. Through comprehensive literature analysis, this article shows the main molecular mechanisms of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and emphasizes the regulatory role of this pathway in synaptic plasticity, neuroinflammation, and dopamine expression, which directly affect depression. By consulting the recent progress in the development of medicines for depression and figuring out the underlying mechanism, this article concludes that medicines based on the PI3K/AKT pathway have great potential. If the potential safety issues can be addressed and the efficacy of the medicine treatment can be further improved, depression patients worldwide could be largely cured with medicines that modulate the PI3K/AKT pathway.