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Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
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Cytokines changes associated with electroconvulsive therapy in patients with treatment-resistant depression: a
F Gay1, B Romeo2, C Martelli3
1APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800 Villejuif, France.
Psychiatry Research
|January 26, 2021
Summary
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) shows initial increases in Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels for treatment-resistant depression, potentially decreasing Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α). Further research is needed to confirm ECT's impact on peripheral cytokines.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Treatment-resistant depression affects one-third of patients, often linked to immune system dysregulation and cytokine imbalance.
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective in 70-90% of treatment-resistant depression cases.
- Understanding the immune response during ECT is crucial for optimizing treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the kinetic changes in cytokine plasma levels before, during, and after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients with major depressive disorder.
- To assess the impact of ECT on pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in treatment-resistant depression.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis was conducted on studies measuring plasma cytokine levels in patients undergoing ECT.
- Data from a systematic database search were analyzed to calculate standardized mean differences in cytokine levels.
- Included cytokines were Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-4 (IL-4), and Interleukin-10 (IL-10).
Main Results:
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels significantly increased after 1-2 ECT sessions (p=0.01) but decreased after 4 sessions (p<0.01), with no significant difference at the end of treatment (p=0.94).
- A potential decrease in Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels was observed.
- No significant changes were found in Interleukin-4 (IL-4) or Interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels.
Conclusions:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) appears to induce an initial increase in IL-6 and a potential decrease in TNF-α in treatment-resistant depression.
- The study highlights dynamic changes in specific cytokines during ECT, suggesting immune modulation.
- Further research is necessary to fully elucidate the impact of ECT on peripheral cytokines and its clinical implications.
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