Cited by 392Tryptophan and brain disordersTreatment of Major DepressionStress Responses and Cortisol

Depression: an inflammatory illness?: Figure 1

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Krishnadas, Rajeev, Cavanagh, Jonathan·2012·Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Findings from preclinical and clinical studies suggest that psychiatric illnesses, particularly MDD, are associated with inflammatory processes. While it is unlikely that MDD is a primary 'inflammatory' disorder, there is now evidence to suggest that inflammation may play a subtle role in the pathophysiology of MDD. Most of the evidence that links inflammation to MDD comes from three observations: (a) one-third of those with major depression show elevated peripheral inflammatory biomarkers, even in the absence of a medical illness; (b) inflammatory illnesses are associated with greater rates of MDD; and (c) patients treated with cytokines are at greater risk of developing major depressive illness. We now know that the brain is not an immune privileged organ. Inflammatory mediators have been found to affect various substrates thought to be important in the aetiopathogenesis of MDD, including altered monoamine and glutamate neurotransmission, glucocorticoid receptor resistance and adult hippocampal neurogenesis. At a higher level, inflammation is thought to affect brain signalling patterns, cognition and the production of a constellation of symptoms, termed 'sickness behaviour'. Inflammation may therefore play a role in the aetiology of depression, at least in a 'cohort' of vulnerable individuals. Inflammation may not only act as a precipitating factor that pushes a person into depression but also a perpetuating factor that may pose an obstacle to recovery. More importantly, inflammatory markers may aid in the diagnosis and prediction of treatment response, leading to the possibility of tailored treatments, thereby allowing stratification of what remains a heterogenous disorder.

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Authors
Krishnadas, R., & Cavanagh, J.
Affiliations
Southern General Hospital (GB)
Corresponding author
Cavanagh, Jonathan
Venue
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2012-03-15
Volume
83
Issue
5
Pages
495-502
ISSN
  • 0022-3050 (ISSN-L)
  • 1468-330X
OpenAlex
W2158151282
Cited by
392
References
19
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 36 · 2015: 35 · 2014: 34 · 2013: 53 · 2012: 9
FWCI
2.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ENLIGHTEN (Jurnal Bimbingan dan Konseling Islam) (submittedVersion)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
major depressive disorder, inflammation, inflammatory markers, cytokines, sickness behavior, monoamine neurotransmission, glutamatergic neurotransmission, adult hippocampal neurogenesis, depression pathophysiology, treatment response prediction, depression diagnosis
MeSH terms
Brain, Major Depressive Disorder, Humans, Inflammation, Biomarkers, Cytokines, Inflammation Mediators

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