Effects of SSRIs on peripheral inflammatory cytokines in patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Extensive research into psychoneuroimmunology has led to substantial advances in our understanding of the reciprocal interactions between the central nervous system and the immune system in neuropsychiatric disorders. To date, inflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of depression and anxiety. The immunomodulating effects of antidepressants on depression have been reported, however, there is no evidence of the similar effects of antidepressants on anxiety. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on peripheral inflammatory cytokines in patients with first episode generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

A prospective cohort design was employed: 42 patients with first episode GAD were treated with either escitalopram or sertraline for 12 weeks. Anxiety was measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory, serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and CRP determined by an immunoturbidimetric method before and after SSRIs treatment RESULTS: Baseline levels of anxiety and pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IFN-γ, and CRP were significantly reduced after treatment of SSRIs (p < 0.05 in all cases). In addition, the change of anxiety measures co-vary with the change of peripheral cytokine levels (p < 0.05 in all cases). The regression model revealed that log transformed baseline levels of CRP and IL-6 predicted treatment response (p < 0.05 in both cases).

This study is the first to investigate the effects of SSRIs on pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients with first episode GAD. The findings indicate moderate acute anti-inflammatory effects of SSRIs in GAD, and suggest that these anti-inflammatory effects may underlie anxiolytic effects of SSRIs. The study also indicates that serum levels of CRP and IL-6 may predict treatment response. However, data from randomized controlled trials is warranted to confirm these findings.