RESUMO
Hyperactivity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and increased levels of glucocorticoid hormones are the most consistent and typical pathophysiological alternations in patients with major depression,which are possibly caused by altered functions of the receptor of glucocorticoid hormones, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Recent studies have found that the environmental factors interfere with the pathophysiological mechanism of depression by influencing the epigenetic regulation of glucocorticoid receptor. GR gene methylation is a way of epigenetic regulation and affects the GR expression and function of HPA axis,which plays an important role in the development of depression. In this review,domestic and foreign literature on the role of GR gene methylation in the development of depression is discussed,which will encourage provide new ideas on the diagnosis and treatment of depression.