Alteration of immune markers in a group of melancholic depressed patients and their response to electroconvulsive therapy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Immune system dysfunction is implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression, and is hypothesized to normalize with successful treatment. We aimed to investigate immune dysfunction in melancholic depression and its response to ECT.

Methods

55 melancholic depressed patients and 26 controls participated. 33 patients (60%) were referred for ECT. Blood samples were taken at baseline, one hour after the first ECT session, and 48h after ECT series completion.

Results

At baseline, melancholic depressed patients had significantly higher levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6, and lower levels of the regulatory cytokine TGF-β than controls. A significant surge in IL-6 levels was observed one hour after the first ECT session, but neither IL-6 nor TGF-β le

SUBMITTER: Rush G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5291160 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature