Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2026
05:47
Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)
Published on: September 23, 2021
Cytokines and their role in depression
Debra Rose Wilson1, Lita Warise
1School of Nursing, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, USA.
Perspectives in Psychiatric Care
|October 2, 2008
Summary
This study reviews how cytokines, like interleukins and interferons, contribute to depression. High cytokine levels impair immune response and lower serotonin, exacerbating depressive symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Psychiatry
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Cytokines mediate inflammatory processes, involving interleukins and interferons.
- Depression is linked to immune system dysregulation and inflammation.
- Serotonin plays a crucial role in mood regulation and is implicated in depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cytokines, interleukins, and interferons involved in inflammation.
- To examine the interaction between cytokines and serotonin in depression.
- To understand the role of these factors as causative agents in depression.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cytokines, interleukins, interferons, and serotonin.
- Analysis of studies on cytokine administration and induced depression.
- Examination of immune response and inflammatory processes in depressed patients.
Main Results:
- Proinflammatory cytokine administration can induce depressive symptoms.
- Depression is associated with elevated cytokine activity and compromised immune function.
- Cytokines disrupt the feedback loop for corticosteroids during stress.
Conclusions:
- High levels of circulating cytokines correlate with reduced serotonin due to decreased tryptophan availability.
- Inflammatory processes and cytokine activity are significant factors in the pathophysiology of depression.
- Understanding cytokine-serotonin interactions offers insights into novel therapeutic targets for depression.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Depression: 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,...
01:27Depressive 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...
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...
01:27Depressive 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...
01:21G-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.
01:31Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are essential chemical messengers within the nervous system, facilitating the communication between neurons. These chemical messengers, varying in function and effect, are critical for sustaining various aspects of neurological health and emotional well-being.
01:25Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy, pioneered by Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, is a structured approach to addressing psychological distress by focusing on the influence of thoughts on emotions and behaviors. All cognitive therapies involve the basic assumption that human beings have control over their feelings, and that how individuals feel about something depends on how they think about it. Unlike psychoanalytic methods that delve into unconscious processes or humanistic approaches emphasizing...