Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Depression: Overview

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...

Stress and Mental Health

Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...

G-protein Coupled Receptors

G-protein Coupled Receptors

G-protein coupled receptors are ligand binding receptors that indirectly affect changes in the cell. The actual receptor is a single polypeptide that transverses the cell membrane seven times creating intracellular and extracellular loops. The extracellular loops create a ligand specific pocket which binds to neurotransmitters or hormones. The intracellular loops holds onto the G-protein.

Psychological Responses to Stress

Psychological Responses to Stress

Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Presentation and Analysis of the Online Evidence Gap Map, "Clinical Effectiveness of Homeopathy".

Homeopathy : the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy·2024

Same author

Commentary: Strengthening System Readiness for Health Interventions: Lessons for Implementing Interventions and Implementation Support in Low-And Middle-Income Countries.

Evaluation & the health professions·2024

Same author

Latin American Trans-ancestry INitiative for OCD genomics (LATINO): Study protocol.

American journal of medical genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric genetics : the official publication of the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics·2023

Same author

Latin American Trans-ancestry INitiative for OCD genomics (LATINO): Study Protocol.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2023

Same author

Fetal size and eating behaviour in childhood: a prospective cohort study.

International journal of epidemiology·2018

Same author

Epigenetic evidence for involvement of the oxytocin receptor gene in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

BMC neuroscience·2016

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Network Pharmacology and Validation of the Antidepressant Mechanisms of Qiangzhifang in a Chronic Restraint Stress-induced Depression Rat Model

Network Pharmacology and Validation of the Antidepressant Mechanisms of Qiangzhifang in a Chronic Restraint Stress-induced Depression Rat Model

Published on: June 6, 2025

Inflammatory aspects of depression.

Ubiratan C Adler¹, Andrea H Marques, Helena M Calil

¹Doctorate Department of Psychobiology - UNIFESP/EPM, R Napoleão de Barros, 925, São Paulo, SP. 04024-002, Brazil.

Inflammation & Allergy Drug Targets

|May 14, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Depression is linked to weakened natural immunity, specifically reduced NK lymphocyte activity. Conversely, inflammation and cytokines like IL-6 can contribute to depression

More Related Videos

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents

Published on: December 2, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Network Pharmacology and Validation of the Antidepressant Mechanisms of Qiangzhifang in a Chronic Restraint Stress-induced Depression Rat Model

Network Pharmacology and Validation of the Antidepressant Mechanisms of Qiangzhifang in a Chronic Restraint Stress-induced Depression Rat Model

Published on: June 6, 2025

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents

Published on: December 2, 2015

Area of Science:

Neuroimmunology
Psychiatry
Immunology

Background:

A complex relationship exists between depression and the immune system.
Depressive episodes correlate with weakened natural immunity.
Inflammatory processes are implicated in depression's development and pathophysiology.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the bidirectional link between depression and natural immunity.
To understand the role of NK lymphocytes in depression-associated immunodeficiency.
To investigate the contribution of inflammatory cytokines to depressive symptoms.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on depression and immune function.
Analysis of studies examining NK lymphocyte numbers and activity in depression.
Examination of research on pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF, IL-1) in depression.

Main Results:

Depression is associated with decreased natural killer (NK) lymphocyte number and activity, leading to immunodeficiency.
Depression can present with an inflammatory state, driven by peripheral or central stimuli.
Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF, IL-1) are implicated in the pathophysiology of depression.

Conclusions:

The bidirectional relationship between depression and immunity is supported by evidence of immune dysfunction in depression.
Inflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokines may serve as a common pathway for depression and other chronic diseases.
Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying neuroimmune interactions in depression.