CCR5-Δ32 polymorphism: a possible protective factor for post-stroke depressive symptoms
Oren Tene1, Hen Hallevi1, Jeremy Molad1
1From the Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel (Tene, Hallevi, Molad, Usher, Seyman, Shenhar-Tsarfaty, Ben Assayag); the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel (Tene, Hallevi, Bornstein, Shenhar-Tsarfaty, Ben Assayag); and the Brain Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel (Bornstein).
Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience : JPN
|July 22, 2021
Summary
Individuals with the CCR5-Δ32 mutation showed fewer depressive symptoms after stroke. This protective effect was more pronounced in women and suggests potential new antidepressant therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- A naturally occurring mutation, CCR5-Δ32, is linked to improved recovery after stroke.
- The role of this mutation in preventing post-stroke depression remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the CCR5-Δ32 mutation reduces the incidence of depressive symptoms following ischemic stroke.
- To assess the long-term effects of the CCR5-Δ32 mutation on post-stroke depression over two years.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 435 mild to moderate ischemic stroke survivors from the TABASCO prospective study.
- Assessment of depressive symptoms using the Geriatric Depression Scale at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months post-stroke.
- Evaluation of CCR5-Δ32 genotype status and adjustment for covariates including age, sex, education, and infarct presence.
Main Results:
- CCR5-Δ32 carriers (16.1%) exhibited significantly fewer depressive symptoms compared to non-carriers at all time points (p ≤ 0.035).
- The association between CCR5-Δ32 carriage and reduced depression remained significant at 6 and 12 months post-stroke after adjustments.
- Depressive symptoms tended to improve in carriers over time, whereas they remained stable or worsened in non-carriers, with a more robust effect observed in women.
Conclusions:
- The CCR5-Δ32 allele is associated with a reduced likelihood of developing post-stroke depressive symptoms, particularly in women.
- These findings highlight a potential mechanism-based therapeutic target for post-stroke depression.
- Pharmacological agents that mimic the CCR5-Δ32 loss-of-function mutation could represent a novel antidepressant strategy.
