Depressive disorders and immunity: 20 years of progress and discovery.

TitleDepressive disorders and immunity: 20 years of progress and discovery.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2007
AuthorsIrwin MR, Miller AH
JournalBrain Behav Immun
Volume21
Issue4
Pagination374-83
Date Published2007 May
ISSN0889-1591
KeywordsCytokines, Depressive Disorder, Forecasting, History, 20th Century, History, 21st Century, Humans, Neuroimmunomodulation, Psychoneuroimmunology
Abstract

Since the inception of Brain, Behavior and Immunity twenty years ago, many exciting developments have occurred regarding the relationship between depression and the immune system. These developments have increasingly put the field of psychoneuroimmunology into a clinical context with important translational implications. Initial studies focused on the impact of depression on relatively narrowly defined immunologic endpoints, which ultimately found their relevance in studies examining the effect of depression on immunologically-based diseases including infectious illnesses, autoimmune disorders, and cancer as well as more recently cardiovascular disease. Mechanistic studies have also greatly contributed to an understanding of those facets of depression, which might mediate these effects. More recently, the reciprocal influences of the immune system on the brain and behavior including depression have taken center stage. Increasing data now indicate that activated inflammatory processes can influence multiple aspects of CNS function including neurotransmitter metabolism, neuroendocrine function, and information processing leading to behavioral changes in humans that bespeak depression. These latter developments have intrigued scientists investigating the pathophysiology of depression and warrant consideration as some of the most exciting new developments in psychiatry in the past 20 years. What the future holds is a world of promise as multiple translational targets derived from the cytokine model of depression work their way into the clinical arena as drug targets for further development. Moreover, the work has served to instantiate brain-immune interactions as an essential component in psychiatric and medical co-morbidities and their impact on health and illness.

DOI10.1016/j.bbi.2007.01.010
Alternate JournalBrain Behav. Immun.
PubMed ID17360153
Grant ListAG 026364 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
CA 10014152 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
HL 079955 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
M01 RR00827 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
MH 19925 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
MH 55253 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States