Stressful Life Events and Previous Episodes in the Etiology of Major Depression in Women: An Evaluation of the “Kindling” Hypothesis

Abstract

The association between previous number of depressive episodes and the pathogenic impact of stressful life events on major depression is likely causal and biphasic. Through approximately nine episodes, the association between stressful life event exposure and risk of major depression progressively declines but is largely unchanged with further episodes. These results are consistent with the kindling hypothesis but suggest a threshold at which the mind/brain is no longer additionally sensitized to the depressive state.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects.

“…In other words, was MBCT relatively ineffective in such patients because proportionately more of their relapses were provoked by significant environmental events, consistent with the evidence from Kendler et al (2000), Lewinsohn et al (1999), and Post (1992), reviewed in the introduction? Table 7 shows, for TAU patients, the numbers of relapses for which significant, borderline, or no life events were reported as antecedents.…”

Downregulation of BDNF mRNA in the Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus after Re-exposure to Cues Previously Associated with Footshock,

“…Moreover, downregulation of BDNF could contribute to the hippocampal pathology observed in psychiatric disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression (Bremner et al 2000;Mervaala et al 2000;Vakili et al 2000). This possibility is supported by the observation that these disorders are sensitive to stressful experiences (Breslau et al 1995;Kendler et al 2000). Based on these observations and findings, we became interested in determining whether psychological stress has a measurable impact on hippocampal BDNF expression similar to the effects of physical stressors that have been reported.…”

The moderation by the serotonin transporter gene of environmental adversity in the aetiology of mental illness: review and methodological analysis

“…[58][59][60] The apparent effect of age may also reflect the distinction between first episode and recurrence of depression as the effect of SLEs decreases with the number of episodes. 61 For example, in the sample of Surtees et al 45 90% of depressive episodes were recurrences rather than first episodes, partially explaining the small size of SLE main effect and negative finding regarding G Â E interaction.…”

“…126,127 It has been established that stressful life events (SLE) have a causal role in the genesis of depression, 128 their depressogenic effect is variable and depends on the level of 'contextual threat', 126 they are closely related in time to the onset of depression 129,130 and have stronger effect on first onset of depression than on recurrences. 61 The effect of SLE is not specific to depression as they are also associated with the onset of anxiety disorders, 131 substance abuse, 132 eating disorders 133 and psychosis. 134 Assessment of SLE The assessment of SLE is almost always retrospective and it is crucial to minimise recall bias, distortions and inaccuracies.…”