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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder
Published on: May 2, 2025
Therapeutic potential of interleukin-6 antagonism in bipolar disorder
E Brietzke1, M Scheinberg, B Lafer
1Bipolar Disorder Program, Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. elisabrietzke@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic, severe, and highly disabling psychiatric disorder. Its underlying neurobiology remains largely unclear. A significant body of evidence indicates that inflammatory activation expressed by increased cytokines is relevant in its pathophysiology. IL-6 is one of the most important cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of immune and inflammatory disorders. Several studies recently showed increased levels of IL-6 in manic and depressive episodes and also during euthymia in subjects with BD. Tocilizumab is an IL-6 receptor antagonist being marketed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and Castleman's disease. In this article we discuss the possibility that tocilizumab may have a therapeutic role in treatment of BD through its anti-inflammatory action.
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