Cited by 289Tryptophan and brain disordersNeuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration MechanismsTreatment of Major Depression

Inflammation, Glutamate, and Glia in Depression:A Literature Review

McNally, Leah, Bhagwagar, Zubin, Hannestad, Jonas·2008·CNS Spectrums

Abstract

Multiple lines of evidence suggest that inflammation and glutamate dysfunction contribute to the pathophysiology of depression. In this review we provide an overview of how these two systems may interact. Excess levels of inflammatory mediators occur in a subgroup of depressed patients. Studies of acute experimental activation of the immune system with endotoxin and of chronic activation during interferon-α treatment show that inflammation can cause depression. Peripheral inflammation leads to microglial activation which could interfere with excitatory amino acid metabolism leading to inappropriate glutamate receptor activation. Loss of astroglia, a feature of depression, upsets the balance of anti- and pro-inflammatory mediators and further impairs the removal of excitatory amino acids. Microglia activated by excess inflammation, astroglial loss, and inappropriate glutamate receptor activation ultimately disrupt the delicate balance of neuroprotective versus neurotoxic effects in the brain, potentially leading to depression.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1017/s1092852900016734

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97 of 97 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Inflammatory cytokines activate IDO and KYN pathways in the brain that affect glutamate neurotransmission and may contribute to glutamate dysfunction in depression.

    “Inflammatory cytokines activate IDO and KYN pathways in the brain that effect glutamate neurotransmission and may contribute to glutamate dysfunction in depression (McNally et al., 2008, Dantzer et al., 2011, Haroon et al., 2012).”
  • Inflammation increases microglial activity and induces astroglial loss, which consequently induces glutamate release and upregulation of NMDA receptors.

    “Inflammation increases the activities of the microglial cells and induce astroglial loss, which consequently induces glutamate release and an upregulation of NMDA receptors[59].”

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Authors
McNally, L., Bhagwagar, Z., & Hannestad, J.
Affiliations
Yale University (US)
Venue
CNS Spectrums
Published
2008-06
Volume
13
Issue
6
Pages
501-510
ISSN
  • 1092-8529 (ISSN-L)
  • 2165-6509
OpenAlex
W1769690510
Cited by
289
References
97
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 20
FWCI
1.85
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • CNS Spectrums (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
Keywords
depression, inflammation, glutamate dysfunction, microglial activation, excitatory amino acids, glutamate receptors, endotoxin, interferon-alpha, neuroinflammation, neuroprotection, neurotoxicity
MeSH terms
Animals, Astrocytes, Brain, Depressive Disorder, Disease Models, Animal, Humans, Kynurenine, Neuroglia, Neuronal Plasticity, Serotonin, Receptors, Glutamate, Microglia, Glutamic Acid, Inflammation Mediators, Rats

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