Inflammation and immune system activation are linked to major depressive disorder, especially in those not responding to standard antidepressants. Such individuals could benefit from immune-targeting treatments like anti-inflammatories
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/study-provides-new-insights-into-the-biology-behind-major-depressive-disorder-and-its-impact-on-the-immune-system
5 Comments
>Approximately one in three people with depression have high levels of inflammation, an activation of the immune system, our body’s defence against potentially harmful stimuli, such as infections. During stress, inflammation is activated to effectively fight threats, and it is likely the reason that the immune system is activated in depression, which is a condition of chronic stress.
>
>Individuals with depression and inflammation present a greater risk of not responding to standard antidepressants, and they might benefit from additional treatments targeting the immune system, such as anti-inflammatories. Thus, understanding the biological mechanisms underpinning this increased inflammation could also shed light on ways to help people with depression, especially those who do not respond to standard antidepressants.
>
>Researchers used a technology called “mRNA sequencing” to measure the activity of all the genes expressed in the blood. The study found that individuals with depression who had increased levels of inflammation showed increased activity of genes linked with the immune system and with the metabolic activity.
>
>The study found that that even with moderately increased inflammation, there is a significant activation of immune-related genes, while people with depression and very high levels of increased inflammation there is additional activation of genes involved in metabolic processes, that is, related to how we produce, consume and store energy, relevant, for example, to fat and sugar functions in the body.
Paper: [Transcriptomic profiles in major depressive disorder: the role of immunometabolic and cell-cycle-related pathways in depression with different levels of inflammation – PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39271754/)
This reminds me of another study I saw here that suggested ibuprofen had an impact on depression symptoms.
Or just eat more mushrooms
Maybe this is why I felt like a brand new person when I was prescribed prednisone.
My depression largely cleared up once I was diagnosed and treated for psoriatic arthritis. I was constantly in pain and could barely move most days, which lead to depression. Once I started treating the PA with biologics and could actually be more active, my depression symptoms gradually started to clear up. That said, I’m not sure if the depression was the initial trigger for the PA, but tackling it definitely made it better.