Chunk #37 — Methods — Glial cell-mediated glutamatergic dysfunction in co-occurring SUDs and depression

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Glial abnormalities in substance use disorders and depression: does shared glutamatergic dysfunction contribute to comorbidity?

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yes

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Although depression and SUD comorbidity has not been extensively studied (Miguel-Hidalgo et al. 2003), glial cell dysfunction may be particularly important. The following hypotheses may be postulated: Multiple episodes of substance intoxication/ withdrawal kindle substance-induced depressive episodes, which have cumulative deleterious effects on glia;Depressed subjects attempt to“self-medicate” their neuropsychiatric symptoms with alcohol and illicit substances, which have cumulative deleterious effects on glia; andA complex interplay exists between depressive and substance use pathologies that has cumulative and potentially synergistic deleterious consequences on glia.