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Depression and immunity: a meta-analytic review

T B Herbert1, S Cohen

  • 1Brain, Behavior and Immunity Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania.

Psychological Bulletin
|May 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Clinical depression significantly impacts cellular immunity, showing reduced lymphocyte proliferation and natural killer cell activity. These immune changes were more pronounced in older and hospitalized individuals with depression.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Psychiatry
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Clinical depression is a prevalent mental health disorder with significant physical health implications.
  • Emerging research suggests a bidirectional relationship between depression and the immune system.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and quantify the alterations in cellular immunity associated with clinical depression.
  • To identify reliable immune markers affected by depression and explore factors influencing these changes.

Main Methods:

  • A meta-analysis was conducted on methodologically sound studies examining cellular immunity in individuals with clinical depression.
  • Key immune outcomes analyzed included lymphocyte proliferation, natural killer cell activity, and white blood cell counts.

Main Results:

  • Consistent evidence of reduced lymphocyte proliferative response (rs = .24-.45) and natural killer cell activity (r = .28) in depressed individuals.
  • Significant alterations were observed in various white blood cell populations (rs = .11-.77).
  • Immune alterations were more pronounced in older adults and hospitalized patient samples, with a linear relationship between depressive affect intensity and immune indicators.

Conclusions:

  • Clinical depression is robustly associated with significant dysregulation of cellular immunity.
  • Neuroendocrine pathways and health behaviors are potential mediators linking depression and immune function.
  • Further research with specific design features is needed to elucidate these complex pathways.

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