Advances in calcium signalling research for the diagnosis and treatment of depression

BACKGROUND: The increasing global burden of depression underscores the need for novel therapeutic strategies beyond conventional antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Given the substantial role of calcium signaling in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders, this review examines its critical involvement in depression to guide future research and clinical advancements. RESULTS: We describe the activation mechanisms of key calcium pathways, including voltage-gated channels, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-gated channels, endoplasmic reticulum-mediated release, and store-operated calcium entry, and summarize evidence of their dysregulation in clinical depression and animal models.Furthermore, we discuss the potential of calcium signaling as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker, highlighting how emerging insights in this field may support the development of targeted antidepressant therapies. CONCLUSIONS: This review indicates that calcium signaling demonstrates potential as a diagnostic biomarker and a basis for targeted antidepressant therapies.