ABSTRACT
Despite the devastating impact that depressive disorders have on the
lives of millions worldwide, our knowledge of the basic pathophysiologi-
cal and aetiological principles of depression is surprisingly limited. The
‘decade of the brain’ has passed, but theories on the neurobiology of
depression still lack convincing evidence and the existence of a common
biological correlate of depression is even doubted by part of the psychi-
atric community, both professionals and patients. The ongoing conflict
between adherents of psychological and biological models of psycho-
pathology is far from being resolved.
