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Updated: Nov 18, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Polyfunctionality and Heterogeneity in Immune Responses
Published on: March 8, 2024
[Interleukin 6 and depression in patients affected by Covid-19]
Antonio Serrano García1, Judith Montánchez Mateo2, Clara Margarita Franch Pato1
1Servicio de Psiquiatría, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, León, España.
Introduction:
Rise of central cytokines resulting from infections produces neuronal changes. Covid-19 allows the study of depressive symptoms in sustained stress and its relationship with molecular mechanisms.
Objectives:
To assess correlation between IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α and depressive symptoms. Characterize the depressive symptoms present.
Methods:
Observational study. Patients admitted for Covid-19 older than 60 years with a interleukin determination were included. The Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used, associating each item with a neurotransmitter.
Results:
27 patients included. We did not find correlation between IL-6 levels and the GDS scale score (rho=0.204; 95% CI -0.192 to 0.543); with IL-1β levels (rho=-0.126; 95% CI -0.490 to 0.276); nor of TNF-α (rho=-0.033; 95% CI -0.416 to 0.360). 3 patients (11.1%) presented score compatible with depressive disorder. It was associated with a deficiency of noradrenaline and serotonin.
Conclusions:
We found no correlation between the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α with the GDS score. Depressive symptomatology is similar to vascular depressions.
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