An fMRI study of cytokine-induced depressed mood and social pain: the role of sex differences.

ABSTRACT: Although research has demonstrated a relationship between proinflammatory cytokine activity and depressive symptoms, the neurocognitive processes underlying this relationship have remained largely unexplored. Here, we examined the effect of proinflammatory cytokine activation on the neural correlates of socially painful experience and associated depressed mood. Participants received either low-dose endotoxin or placebo through intravenous injection. Levels of the proinflammatory cytokine, IL-6, were repeatedly assessed through hourly blood draws; self-reported depressed mood was assessed hourly as well. Two hours post-injection, participants completed a neuroimaging session in which they were socially excluded during an online ball-tossing game. Replicating previous research, individuals e

SUBMITTER: Eisenberger NI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2733873 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature