Research advances on the pathogenesis and clinical interventions of post-stroke depression.

BACKGROUND

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common neuropsychiatric complication affecting 30-50% of stroke survivors, impairing rehabilitation, quality of life, and prognosis.

MAIN BODY: This narrative review synthesizes recent evidence on PSD pathogenesis (neurotransmitter dysregulation, neuroinflammation, impaired neuroplasticity; psychosocial factors such as stress and social support deficits; gene-environment interactions including 5-HTT and BDNF polymorphisms), clinical interventions (pharmacotherapy with SSRIs/SNRIs, psychotherapy including CBT, neuromodulation via rTMS/tDCS/ECT, novel agents such as ketamine, and multidisciplinary models), and prevention (risk stratification, early screening with PHQ-9/HAMD, personalized biological/psychosocial strategies, and digital monitoring).

CONCLUSION

Despite gaps in long-term data and validated biomarkers, multidisciplinary integrated care and precision medicine approaches offer promising avenues to optimize screening, early intervention, prevention, and long-term outcomes for stroke survivors.