The DOI matches its Crossref record; 7 of the 7 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
The Immune System and Electroconvulsive Therapy for Depression
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains the most effective and fast-acting treatment option for several psychiatric conditions, including treatment-resistant depression. Although ECT has been in use for 75 years, the mechanism of action is unknown. There is emerging evidence that modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may mediate, in part, the therapeutic action of ECT. A growing body of evidence points to links between disturbances in the immune system and depression. However, the impact of ECT on immune functioning and the possible role of alterations in the immune system as a mechanism of action of ECT remain elusive. OBJECTIVES: To provide a literature overview on the effects of ECT on the immune system. METHODS: Relevant articles and abstracts in English were retrieved from PubMed/Medline using search terms related to ECT, inflammation, and immune system. The results of studies examining ECT-induced changes in immune functioning as well as the degree to which these represent possible mechanisms mediating the therapeutic action of ECT were summarized. RESULTS: Our search identified only a limited number of studies. The findings suggest that a single session of ECT induces an acute, transient immune activation, whereas repetitive ECT treatment results in long-term down-regulation of immune activation. However, inconsistency in findings and methodological issues, including sample size and lack of consideration of confounding factors affecting cytokine concentrations, precludes definitive conclusion. CONCLUSIONS: To elucidate the possible role of immunological changes mediating the effect of ECT, more prospective controlled studies with larger sample sizes are required.
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“Finally, other antidepressant treatment modalities with proven efficacy like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may also impact peripheral immune activation notwithstanding evidence remains limited [55,56].”
Citations
Cites
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Effects of antidepressants on the production of cytokines
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Self-citationVogelzangs, N., Duivis, H. E., Beekman, A. T. F., Kluft, C., Neuteboom, J., Hoogendijk, W., Smit, J. H., de Jonge, P., & Penninx, B. W. J. H. (2012) · Translational Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/tp.2012.8 · Cited by 323 · cited 1×
“It remains inconclusive, however, whether these reductions are associated with clinical improvement; it has been suggested that heterogeneity in findings may be due in part to differential effects of various types of antidepressants on circulating cytokine levels.(28) Another factor affecting heterogeneity may be that…”
ResultVogelzangs, N., Beekman, A. T., van Reedt Dortland, A. K., Schoevers, R. A., Giltay, E. J., de Jonge, P., & Penninx, B. W. (2014) · Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1038/npp.2014.9 · Cited by 133
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Cited by
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Integrating neuroimmune systems in the neurobiology of depression
Wohleb, E. S., Franklin, T., Iwata, M., & Duman, R. S. (2016) · Nature Reviews Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/nrn.2016.69 · Cited by 668
Köhler, C. A., Freitas, T. H., Stubbs, B., Maes, M., Solmi, M., Veronese, N., de Andrade, N. Q., Morris, G., Fernandes, B. S., Brunoni, A. R., et al. (2017) · Molecular Neurobiology · doi:10.1007/s12035-017-0632-1 · Cited by 449
Kopschina Feltes, P., Doorduin, J., Klein, H. C., Juárez-Orozco, L. E., Dierckx, R. A., Moriguchi-Jeckel, C. M., & de Vries, E. F. (2017) · Journal of Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1177/0269881117711708 · Cited by 279
Antidepressant therapies inhibit inflammation and microglial M1-polarization
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Metadata
- Authors
- Guloksuz, S., Rutten, B. P. F., Arts, B., van Os, J., & Kenis, G.
- Affiliations
- Maastricht University Medical Centre (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Rutten, Bart P.F.
- Arts, Baer
- Venue
- The Journal of ECT
- Published
- 2014-06
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 132-137
- ISSN
- 1095-0680 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2060188551
- Cited by
- 90
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 4.07
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Ect (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Publications (Maastricht University) (publishedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
- Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Electroconvulsive Therapy Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Keywords
- electroconvulsive therapy, depression, immune system, inflammation, cytokines, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, treatment-resistant depression, mechanism of action, immune activation
- MeSH terms
- Depression, Electroconvulsive Therapy, Humans, Immune System
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