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Biomarkers of Post-COVID Depression
Piotr Lorkiewicz1, Napoleon Waszkiewicz1
1Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Bialystok, Plac Brodowicza 1, 16-070 Choroszcz, Poland.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|September 28, 2021
Summary
Post-COVID depression affects up to 40% of SARS-CoV-2 survivors. Researchers identified key biomarkers, including elevated inflammatory cytokines and decreased neurotrophic factors, suggesting an inflammatory link to major depressive disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread SARS-CoV-2 infections, with a significant portion of survivors experiencing post-COVID depression.
- Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent mental health condition, and understanding its link to post-COVID complications is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify biomarkers associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) that are also present in COVID-19 patients.
- To explore the potential etiological link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of post-COVID depression.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases.
- Keywords used included 'COVID-19', 'SARS-CoV-2', 'depression', 'post-COVID', and 'biomarkers'.
- Analysis of identified biomarkers related to inflammation and neurobiology.
Main Results:
- Elevated levels of inflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were frequently reported.
- Decreased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tryptophan (TRP) were also noted.
- Metabolites of the kynurenine pathway were identified as significant players.
Conclusions:
- The identified biomarkers suggest an inflammatory etiopathogenesis for post-COVID depression, mirroring the leading inflammatory hypothesis of MDD.
- These findings highlight potential targets for diagnosing and treating post-COVID depression.
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