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Article: Depression and immunity.(Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology Review and Commentary)
- Article from:
- Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients
- Article date:
- June 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 The Townsend Letter Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The role of cytokines in depression was first elucidated when the cytokine interferon resulted in "sickness behavior," symptoms of which are similar to those of major depression. Depression is associated with an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-[alpha]) which are potent modulators of corticotropin releasing hormone which produces heightened hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity characterized by increases in ACTH and cortisol, both of which are elevated in major depression. Antidepressant treatment has immunomodulatory effects which increase the production of the anti-inflammatory IL-10.
O'Brien SM, ...