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Neuroimmune Mechanisms of Depression in Adults with Heart Failure

Jessica A Jiménez1, Christine Tara Peterson2, Paul J Mills2

  • 1Department of Psychology, College of Letters and Sciences, National University, La Jolla, CA, USA. jjimenez@nu.edu.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|April 30, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Heart failure (HF) patients often experience depression, leading to poorer health outcomes. This chapter explores the psychoneuroimmunologic mechanisms linking depression and HF, focusing on neurohormonal and cytokine pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychoneuroimmunology

Background:

  • Heart failure (HF) is a significant public health issue with high hospitalization and mortality rates.
  • HF affects millions globally and is projected to be a major 21st-century epidemic.
  • Individuals with HF exhibit high rates of depression, which correlates with worse clinical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce the study of depression in the context of heart failure.
  • To explain how psychoneuroimmunologic principles can elucidate the mechanisms linking depression and HF.
  • To highlight the role of neurohormonal and cytokine activation in comorbid depression and HF.

Main Methods:

  • This chapter reviews existing literature on depression in HF.
  • It applies psychoneuroimmunologic principles to understand the underlying mechanisms.
  • Focus is placed on neurohormonal and cytokine pathways.

Main Results:

  • Depression is highly prevalent in HF patients.
  • Depression is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in HF.
  • Psychoneuroimmunologic pathways, including neurohormonal and cytokine activation, are implicated in the link between HF and depression.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the interplay between depression and HF is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
  • Psychoneuroimmunology offers a framework for investigating the biological mechanisms connecting these conditions.
  • Targeting neurohormonal and cytokine pathways may be a future therapeutic strategy for comorbid depression and HF.

Keywords:
DepressionGut microbiota and metabolitesHeart failureInflammationRenin-angiotensin-aldosterone systemSympathetic nervous system

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