Increased Levels Of Inflammatory Cytokines Seen In Depression And Psychosis

Increased levels of inflammatory cytokines are associated with increased rates of depression and psychosis, and that treatment to reduce cytokine levels can reduce symptoms of depression. The study by Dr Golam Khandaker, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, UK, and colleagues, is being presented at this year's International Early Psychosis Association (IEPA) meeting in Milan, Italy (20-22 October).

The authors first analyzed data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) birth cohort (4415 children). Their analysis found that a higher serum level of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) at age 9 years was associated with a 55% increased risk of developing depression, an 81% increased risk of developing depression and over two-fold increased risk of psychotic disorder at age 18 years. Elevated IL-6 levels were also associated with increased risk of persistent depressive symptoms between ages 10 and 18 years.

The authors also carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of antidepressant activity of anti-cytokine treatment (monoclonal antibodies and cytokine inhibitors) using clinical trials of chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis in which depressive symptoms were measured as a secondary outcome.

Data from seven randomized controlled trials (2370 participants) showed significant antidepressant effect of anti-cytokine treatment compared with placebo. Further analysis showed that the antidepressant effect was not associated with improvement in primary physical illness. That is, the anti-cytokine treatment reduced the symptoms of depression regardless of whether it improved the physical illness.

The authors say "Inflammation may play a causal role in the pathogenesis of depression and psychosis. Anti-inflammatory drugs may be useful for some patients with depression particularly those with evidence of inflammation."

"About a third of patients who are resistant to antidepressants show evidence of inflammation," adds Dr Khandaker. "So, anti-inflammatory treatments could be relevant for a large number of people who suffer from depression."

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He concludes: "We need more studies, particularly randomized controlled trials of anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with depression who are inflamed but are free from major physical co-morbidities, to investigate the effect of these drugs on depression.”

More studies are also needed to understand potential side effects of anti-cytokine drugs through clinical trials, especially in patients with psychiatric disorders as some of these drugs can be associated with serious side effects.

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Source-Medindia