In addition, it has been shown that EGR1 is significantly downregulated in brain regions of SZ patients, especially the prefrontal cortex.12,42,43 In MDD, similar data were reported by Covington et al.,44 who found reduced EGR1 expression in the medial prefrontal cortex in non-medicated subjects, as well as in depressed patients refractory to treatment, consistent with a deficit in neuronal activity in this brain region reported in MDD. This evidence concerns the gene EGR1 and major depressive disorder.