biostudies-literatureYoon SMinistry of Science and ICT, South KoreaNational Research Foundation of KoreaGachon University148-160https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9970837biostudies-literatureUnknown31(2)Depression is a neuropsychiatric disorder associated with persistent stress and disruption of neuronal function. Persistent stress causes neuronal atrophy, including loss of synapses and reduced size of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These alterations are associated with neural dysfunction, including mood disturbances, cognitive impairment, and behavioral changes. Synaptic plasticity is the fundamental function of neural networks in response to various stimuli and acts by reorganizing neuronal structure, function, and connections from the molecular to the behavioral level. In this review, we describe the alterations in synaptic plasticity as underlying pathological mechanisms for depression in animal models and humans. We further elaborate on the significance of phytochemicals as bBiomolecules & therapeuticsPhytochemicals That Act on Synaptic Plasticity as Potential Prophylaxis against Stress-Induced Depressive Disorder.PMC9970837GCU-2019-03252018M3A9C4076473Iqbal HYoon SJin MKim SMfalsePhytochemicals That Act on Synaptic Plasticity as Potential Prophylaxis against Stress-Induced Depressive Disorder.Depression is a neuropsychiatric disorder associated with persistent stress and disruption of neuronal function. Persistent stress causes neuronal atrophy, including loss of synapses and reduced size of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These alterations are associated with neural dysfunction, including mood disturbances, cognitive impairment, and behavioral changes. Synaptic plasticity is the fundamental function of neural networks in response to various stimuli and acts by reorganizing neuronal structure, function, and connections from the molecular to the behavioral level. In this review, we describe the alterations in synaptic plasticity as underlying pathological mechanisms for depression in animal models and humans. We further elaborate on the significance of phytochemicals as b2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Mar2025-04-19T02:46:15.012Z2025-04-07T13:05:38.692ZS-EPMC99708373669442310.4062/biomolther.2022.116