Abstract
Depression is a prevalent mental health disorder with significant global impact, often accompanied by alterations in brain activity and neurotransmitter systems. Nuclear medicine, especially Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), offers valuable insights into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying depression. These imaging modalities enable non-invasive assessment of cerebral glucose metabolism, neurotransmitter activity, and cerebral blood flow, which are often disrupted in individuals with depression. Advanced radiopharmaceuticals, including (18)F-FDG PET, (123)I-ADAM SPECT, and (11)C-raclopride PET, have been utilized to explore the pathophysiology of depression and monitor responses to various treatment strategies. This review discusses how nuclear medicine enhances the diagnosis, understanding, and personalized management of depression, with potential for guiding therapeutic interventions based on brain activity patterns and treatment responses.