Abstract
Cytokines whose primary function is that of acting as signaling molecules of the immune system, have been implicated in the provocation or exacerbation of mood disorders such as depression. This position has been supported by several lines of evidence; (1) proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α) and bacterial endotoxins elicit sickness behaviors (e.g., fatigue, soporific effects) and symptoms of anxiety/depression that may be attenuated by chronic antidepressant treatment. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) induces less profound sickness, but elicits anhedonia, a key symptom of depression; (2) neuroendocrine and central neurotransmitter changes, reminiscent of those implicated in depression, may be elicited by some of these cytokines, and these effects are exacerbated by stressors; (3) severe depressive illness is accompanied by elevations of cytokine production or levels, although these effects are not necessarily attenuated with antidepressant medication; and (4) immunotherapy, using IL-2 or IFN-α, promote depressive symptoms that are attenuated by antidepressant treatment. It is proposed that chronic cytokine elevations engender neuroendocrine and brain neurotransmitter changes that are interpreted by the brain as being stressors, and contribute to the development of depression. Further, the effects of the cytokine treatments may act synergistically with stressors, and cytokines may provoke a sensitization effect so that the effects of later stressor experiences are exacerbated.
Keywords: cytokines, cortisol, corticotropin releasing hormone, depression, dopamine, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, interleukin, norepinephrine, serotonin
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Cytokines as a Precipitant of Depressive Illness: Animal and Human Studies
Volume: 11 Issue: 8
Author(s): Hymie Anisman, Zul Merali, Michael O. Poulter and Shawn Hayley
Affiliation:
Keywords: cytokines, cortisol, corticotropin releasing hormone, depression, dopamine, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, interleukin, norepinephrine, serotonin
Abstract: Cytokines whose primary function is that of acting as signaling molecules of the immune system, have been implicated in the provocation or exacerbation of mood disorders such as depression. This position has been supported by several lines of evidence; (1) proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α) and bacterial endotoxins elicit sickness behaviors (e.g., fatigue, soporific effects) and symptoms of anxiety/depression that may be attenuated by chronic antidepressant treatment. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) induces less profound sickness, but elicits anhedonia, a key symptom of depression; (2) neuroendocrine and central neurotransmitter changes, reminiscent of those implicated in depression, may be elicited by some of these cytokines, and these effects are exacerbated by stressors; (3) severe depressive illness is accompanied by elevations of cytokine production or levels, although these effects are not necessarily attenuated with antidepressant medication; and (4) immunotherapy, using IL-2 or IFN-α, promote depressive symptoms that are attenuated by antidepressant treatment. It is proposed that chronic cytokine elevations engender neuroendocrine and brain neurotransmitter changes that are interpreted by the brain as being stressors, and contribute to the development of depression. Further, the effects of the cytokine treatments may act synergistically with stressors, and cytokines may provoke a sensitization effect so that the effects of later stressor experiences are exacerbated.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Anisman Hymie, Merali Zul, Poulter O. Michael and Hayley Shawn, Cytokines as a Precipitant of Depressive Illness: Animal and Human Studies, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2005; 11 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612053381701
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612053381701 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Ligustrazine Derivatives. Part 8: Design, Synthesis, and Preliminary Biological Evaluation of Novel Ligustrazinyl Amides as Cardiovascular Agents
Medicinal Chemistry Neuroprotective Effects of Ellagitannins: A Brief Review
Current Drug Targets The Protective Effects of Natural Products on Blood-Brain Barrier Breakdown
Current Medicinal Chemistry Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy (DCS): A Diagnostic Tool for Assessing Tissue Blood Flow in Vascular-Related Diseases and Therapies
Current Medical Imaging Gene Elements that Regulate Streptococcus pneumoniae Virulence and Immunity Evasion
Current Gene Therapy Early Ischemic Blood Brain Barrier Damage: A Potential Indicator for Hemorrhagic Transformation Following Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA) Thrombolysis?
Current Neurovascular Research MicroRNA-582-5p Reduces Propofol-induced Apoptosis in Developing Neurons by Targeting ROCK1
Current Neurovascular Research Cerebral Aneurysm as an Exacerbating Factor in Stroke Pathology and a Therapeutic Target for Neuroprotection
Current Pharmaceutical Design Pathogenesis, Experimental Models and Contemporary Pharmacotherapy of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Story About the Brain-Gut Axis
Current Neuropharmacology A Review of Various Machine Learning Techniques for Brain Tumor Detection from MRI Images
Current Medical Imaging Executive Dyscontrol in Dementia, with Emphasis on Subcortical Pathology and the Role of Butyrylcholinesterase
Current Alzheimer Research The Oxygen Therapy
Current Medicinal Chemistry Interleukin-1 Drives Cerebrovascular Inflammation via MAP Kinase-Independent Pathways
Current Neurovascular Research Targeted Drug Delivery: Trends and Perspectives
Current Drug Delivery Role of Serum and Glucocorticoid-Inducible Kinase (SGK)-1 in Senescence: A Novel Molecular Target Against Age-Related Diseases
Current Medicinal Chemistry Anti-inflammatory strategies in stroke: a potential therapeutic target
Current Vascular Pharmacology Cerebrolysin Attenuates Heat Shock Protein (HSP 72 KD) Expression in the Rat Spinal Cord Following Morphine Dependence and Withdrawal: Possible New Therapy for Pain Management
Current Neuropharmacology Potential Interaction Between Valproic Acid and Doripenem
Current Drug Safety Acid-Sensing Ion Channels Structural Aspects, Pathophysiological Importance and Experimental Mutational Data Available Across Various Species to Target Human ASIC1
Current Drug Targets Design and Synthesis of Mannich bases as Benzimidazole Derivatives as Analgesic Agents
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry