Accumulating evidence supports a role for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Nerve growth factor (NGF) in depression. However, most of these studies have been performed in animal models that have low face validity with regard to the human depression. Here, we examined the regulation of BDNF and NGF expressions in the hippocampus of rats subjected to the chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression, a paradigm that induces anhedonia, a core symptom of depression. The consumption of sweet food, locomotor activity, body and adrenal gland weight, BDNF and NGF protein levels in the hippocampus and analysis of the expression profiles of TrkB and TrkA, the respective receptors of BDNF and NGF were assessed in rats. Our findings demonstrated decreased in sweet food intake and increase of adrenal gland weight with reduced body weight. We found that exposure of rats to the CMS paradigm did not modulate BDNF and its receptor TrkB expressions in the hippocampus where as the expression profiles of NGF and its receptor TrkA showed a significant reduction in CMS rat groups compared to normal control.

Several different perspectives concerning the origins of blood pressure-related hypoalgesia have been reported over the last few decades but the mechanisms to unfold the relationship between variable pain perceptions amongst individuals still remains unclear. This article is critical review of existing observations of scientific reports on blood pressure mediated pain modulation and suggests a conceptual central mechanism to explain hypoalgesia associated with elevated resting BP in individuals.

Background and Aim: People of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds may apply various general or specific coping strategies in response to stress. In the face of a specific stressful life event, one may take a maladaptive cognitive style and strategy, potentially leading to depression or anxiety. Given the cultural particulars, we hypothesized that coping strategies amongst Iranian students entail a specific cognitive style differentiating them from their peers in other communities.This study investigated the predictive role of cognitive emotion regulation strategies (self-blame, other-blame, catastrophizing, positive refocusing, positive reappraisal, and acceptance) for depression and anxiety. Materials and Methods: 277 student (100 males, 177 females) completed the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies Questionnaire (CERQ) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS). Multivariate regression analysis was used to evaluate both assessment tools obtained dataset. Results: Other-blame was the strongest negative predictor of depression followed by positive refocusing and positive reappraisal coping strategies. Other-blame, acceptance, self-blame and catastrophizing strategies were in turn the strongest positive predictors for stress. Other-blame was positively correlated with age. Results indicated that, other-blame and projection is the mostly applied coping strategy amongst our study subjects. Conclusion: The frequently used other-blame coping strategy among our Iranian students study population (especially in those of older age) is predictive for stress. To prevent this, structured counselling and educational programs at target population or general public levels should be sought to rectify their improper coping styles in the face of misery.