Inflammatory cytokines derived from peripheral blood contribute to the modified electroconvulsive therapy-induced...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Immunology

Background:

• Memory deficits are a concern in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients undergoing modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT).
• The underlying pathophysiology of these cognitive changes remains poorly understood.
• Investigating inflammatory markers may elucidate the mechanisms behind MECT-induced cognitive impairment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine cytokine profiles, memory function, and their association in MDD patients treated with MECT.
• To identify potential biomarkers for cognitive impairment in this patient population.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 40 first-episode, drug-free MDD patients and 40 healthy controls.
• Assessed cognitive function using the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) and depression severity with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression 17 (HRSD-17).
• Measured serum levels of NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, interleukin-18 (IL-18), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) before and after MECT.

Main Results:

• MDD patients exhibited higher baseline levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, IL-18, and NF-κB compared to controls.
• MECT treatment led to significant increases in these inflammatory markers.
• Elevated serum inflammatory cytokine levels were negatively associated with WMS scores, indicating a link to memory impairment.
• These cytokines may independently contribute to cognitive deficits.

Conclusions:

• Abnormal levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, IL-18, and NF-κB suggest a disturbed inflammatory balance in MDD patients treated with MECT.
• These inflammatory markers likely contribute to MECT-induced cognitive deficits, particularly memory impairment.
• Serum levels of these cytokines may serve as predictors of cognitive impairment risk in MDD patients undergoing MECT.