Physical exercise and/or agmatine have a prophylactic effect against depressive-like behavior induced by an inflammatory challenge in mice

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the psychiatric disorder with the highest prevalence worldwide, affecting around 5% to 6% of the population, being a major contributor to the global burden of disease. The current therapy used for the treatment of MDD has some drawbacks, since a third to half patients do not respond to multiple antidepressants, besides the long delay (about 4 weeks) for the remission of the symptoms, and side-effects. Based on the difficulties in coping with MDD, there is a need for new approaches, including prophylaxis of this disorder.