Can We Treat Depression by Targeting Inflammation?

Topics: Antibiotic | Depression | Inflammation | Minocycline | Mood | Pharmacotherapy

REVIEW OF: Zazula R et al, Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2021;55(8):784–798 Recent data suggest inflammation may play a role in depression, prompting research into the efficacy of minocycline—a tetracycline antibiotic with anti-inflammatory effects—as an augmentation agent in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). This study was a pooled

Probiotics in Psychiatry

Topics: Alternative treatments | C-Reactive Protein | Complementary treatments | CRP | Depression | Depressive Disorder | Exercise | Inflammation | Mind-Gut Connection | Natural Medications | natural treatments | Nutrition | Obesity

TCPR: What is the gut microbiome? Dr. Dinan: It is the collection of microorganisms within the intestine. It functions like a separate organ and is about the same weight as an adult brain. Mainly it’s made up of bacteria, which is where our research has focused, but there are viruses and fungi in there as well. The traditional view was that these org

Inflammatory Biomarkers in Depression

Topics: Bupropion | C-Reactive Protein | CRP | Depression | Depressive Disorder | Dopamine | Exercise | Inflammation | Laboratory Testing in Psychiatry | Medical Comorbidities | Norepinephrine | Nortriptyline | Nutrition | Obesity | Treatment-Resistant Depression | Wellbutrin

TCPR: What is inflammation? Dr. Miller: Inflammation is the body’s natural response to infection or wounding. It’s important for survival, but if it goes on too long it damages the body in various ways. It contributes to heart disease, cancer, metabolic disorders, and neurodegenerative disorders. Ultimately, it can change set points in the brain th

Highlights From This Issue

Topics: Bupropion | C-Reactive Protein | CRP | Depression | Depressive Disorder | Dopamine | Exercise | Inflammation | Laboratory Testing in Psychiatry | Medical Comorbidities | Norepinephrine | Nortriptyline | Nutrition | Obesity | Treatment-Resistant Depression | Wellbutrin

Inflammation contributes to treatment resistance in depression and can be measured with a blood test, C-reactive protein (CRP). An elevated CRP predicts a favorable response to certain antidepressants, as well as specific lifestyle interventions. Nuedexta’s expanded use in dementia is based on questionable efficacy, but it is safer than many

Anti-Inflammatories as Antidepressants?

Topics: Antidepressants | Depression | Inflammation | Novel Medications | Treatment-Resistant Depression

Review of: Köhler-Forsberg O et al, Acta Psych Scand 2019;139(5):404–419 Study Type: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Several lines of evidence suggest that chronic inflammation contributes to depression. For example, markers of inflammation tend to be elevated in depressed patients, and inflammatory syndromes elicit depressive sym