Cited by 131Treatment of Major DepressionSchizophrenia research and treatmentTryptophan and brain disorders

Minocycline: Therapeutic Potential in Psychiatry

Dean, Olivia M., Data-Franco, João, Giorlando, Francesco, Berk, Michael·2012·CNS Drugs

Abstract

Pharmacological interventions to treat psychiatric illness have previously focused on modifying dysfunctional neurotransmitter systems to improve symptoms. However, imperfect understanding of the aetiology of these heterogeneous syndromes has been associated with poor treatment outcomes for many individuals. Growing evidence suggests that oxidative stress, inflammation, changes in glutamatergic pathways and neurotrophins play important roles in many psychiatric illnesses including mood disorders, schizophrenia and addiction. These novel insights into pathophysiology allow new treatment targets to be explored. Minocycline is an antibiotic that can modulate glutamate-induced excitotoxicity, and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Given that these mechanisms overlap with the newly understood pathophysiological pathways, minocycline has potential as an adjunctive treatment in psychiatry. To date there have been promising clinical indications that minocycline may be a useful treatment in psychiatry, albeit from small trials most of which were not placebo controlled. Case reports of individuals with schizophrenia, psychotic symptoms and bipolar depression have shown serendipitous benefits of minocycline treatment on psychiatric symptoms. Minocycline has been trialled in open-label or small randomized controlled trials in psychiatry. Results vary, with findings supporting use in schizophrenia, but showing less benefit for nicotine dependence and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Given the limited data from rigorous clinical trials, further research is required. However, taken together, the current evidence suggests minocycline may be a promising novel therapy in psychiatry.

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Crossref · 10.2165/11632000-000000000-00000

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98 of 98 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Minocycline promotes hippocampal neurogenesis and exerts anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory activities, reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and up-regulating anti-inflammatory cytokines.

    “Minocycline promotes hippocampal neurogenesis and exerts anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory activities, reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-1β, IL-6, IL-2, TNF-α, INF-γ) and up-regulating anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-10) [99].”

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Authors
Dean, O. M., Data-Franco, J., Giorlando, F., & Berk, M.
Affiliations
  • Barwon Health (AU)
  • Mental Health Research Institute (AU)
  • The University of Melbourne (AU)
Corresponding author
Dean, Olivia M.
Venue
CNS Drugs
Published
2012-05
Volume
26
Issue
5
Pages
391-401
ISSN
1172-7047 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2159126784
Cited by
131
References
98
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 4
FWCI
12.12
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • CNS Drugs (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Yale University
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
Keywords
minocycline, adjunctive therapy, schizophrenia, bipolar depression, psychosis, nicotine dependence, obsessive-compulsive disorder, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, glutamate excitotoxicity, neuroprotection, antioxidant activity, mood disorders, addiction
MeSH terms
Animals, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Mental Disorders, Humans, Inflammation, Minocycline, Nerve Growth Factors, Drug Delivery Systems, Oxidative Stress, Glutamic Acid

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