Korean J Psychopharmacol.
2000 Dec;11(4):304-312.
The Role of Cytokines in Depresstion and Their Therapeutic Implication
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Korea.
Abstract
- The aims of this article is to review the current knowledge on the role of cytokines in depression by discussing the brain action of cytokines, their role in the stress response, their relationship to depression, and their sensitivity of antidepressant treatment. From the data that are reviewed, several important points emerge: 1) Cytokines administered to patients and laboratory animals induce symptoms of depression, including, depressed mood, anhedonia, reduced food intake, sleep disorder, hyperactivity of HPA axis, and glucocorticoid resistance; 2) Stress-induced cytokine secretion may be responsible for the induction of depressive symptoms. 3) Antidepressants have anti-inflammatory properties and interfere with cytokine production and action. 4) Cytokine antagoinists may attenuate the symptoms of depression. The cytokine model in depression may play a crucial role in the etiology and psychopathology of depression.
