Depression and the immune response

Depression and the immune response

The immune systems of people with depression have been found to produce an increased inflammatory response. This inflammation can lead to the production of neurotoxic compounds that kill brain cells.

In a negative cycle, depression leads to inflammation in the brain, which further increases the feelings of depression.

Dr. Angelos Halaris, lead author of the study and professor at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences of Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, wanted to investigate whether SSRIs had an impact on this immune response.

The study looked at patients with severe depression who were prescribed escitalopram, a common form of SSRI. Of the patients that completed the trial, 80% reported at least some degree of remission in their depressive symptoms.

To investigate the immunological component, the team took samples of the patients' blood and measured the levels of nine chemicals associated with an immune reaction. Of the nine substances, eight were found to be elevated above normal levels in the depressed participants.

The substances hsCRP, TNF-alpha, IL6 and MCP1 were also significantly higher than those observed in patients who did not have depression.

Reduction in toxins in patients treated with escitalopram

The results of the study showed that the patients treated with escitalopram displayed a significant drop in the levels of two neurotoxic compounds over the course of the trial.

Specifically, 3-hydroxykynurenine fell by almost 70% between weeks 8 and 12, and quinolinic acid dropped by 50% during the first eight weeks. Both substances are implicated in neurotoxicity via immune reactions.

The study, after drop-outs, utilized data from just 20 patients. As a result, the researchers warn, the results must be approached with caution.

Halaris hopes this small-scale study will induce further research into the potential neuroprotective actions of SSRIs. It is possible that other drugs, such as Prozac, might also show these anti-immune, neuroprotective characteristics.

Depression, in all of its forms, is a complex condition, and only with detailed investigation will its prevention become possible.

Credit: Full article:https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/303618.php