BACKGROUND: Mood disorders, i.e. major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorders, are leading sources of disability worldwide. Currently available treatments do not yield remission in approximately a third of patients with a mood disorder. This is in part because these treatments do not target a specific core pathology underlying these heterogeneous disorders. In recent years, abnormal inflammatory processes have been identified as putative pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment targets in mood disorders, particularly among individuals with treatment-resistant conditions. AIMS: In this selective review, we aimed to summarise recent advances in the field of immunopsychiatry, including emerging pathophysiological models and findings from treatment ttrials of immunomodulatory agents for both MDD and bipolar disorders. METHOD: We performed a literature review by searching Medline for clinical trials of immunomodulating agents as monotherapy or adjunctive treatments in MDD and bipolar disorders. Included studies are randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cluster RCTs or cross-over trials of immunomodulating agents that had an active comparator or a placebo-arm. RESULTS: Current evidence shows an association between inflammation and mood symptoms. However, there is conflicting evidence on whether this link is causal. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies should focus on identifying specific neurobiological underpinnings for the putative causal association between an activated inflammatory response and mood disorders. Results of these studies are needed before further treatment trials of immunomodulatory agents can be justified.
BACKGROUND:Mood disorders, i.e. major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorders, are leading sources of disability worldwide. Currently available treatments do not yield remission in approximately a third of patients with a mood disorder. This is in part because these treatments do not target a specific core pathology underlying these heterogeneous disorders. In recent years, abnormal inflammatory processes have been identified as putative pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment targets in mood disorders, particularly among individuals with treatment-resistant conditions. AIMS: In this selective review, we aimed to summarise recent advances in the field of immunopsychiatry, including emerging pathophysiological models and findings from treatment ttrials of immunomodulatory agents for both MDD and bipolar disorders. METHOD: We performed a literature review by searching Medline for clinical trials of immunomodulating agents as monotherapy or adjunctive treatments in MDD and bipolar disorders. Included studies are randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cluster RCTs or cross-over trials of immunomodulating agents that had an active comparator or a placebo-arm. RESULTS: Current evidence shows an association between inflammation and mood symptoms. However, there is conflicting evidence on whether this link is causal. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies should focus on identifying specific neurobiological underpinnings for the putative causal association between an activated inflammatory response and mood disorders. Results of these studies are needed before further treatment trials of immunomodulatory agents can be justified.
Authors: Malcolm P Forbes; Adrienne O'Neil; Melissa Lane; Bruno Agustini; Nick Myles; Michael Berk Journal: Drugs Aging Date: 2021-04-29 Impact factor: 3.923
Authors: Elizabeth K Belcher; Eva Culakova; Nikesha J Gilmore; Sara J Hardy; Amber S Kleckner; Ian R Kleckner; Lianlian Lei; Charles Heckler; Michael B Sohn; Bryan D Thompson; Louis T Lotta; Zachary A Werner; Jodi Geer; Judith O Hopkins; Steven W Corso; David Q Rich; Edwin van Wijngaarden; Michelle C Janelsins Journal: J Natl Cancer Inst Date: 2022-05-09 Impact factor: 11.816
Authors: Jennifer A Frontera; Ariane Lewis; Kara Melmed; Jessica Lin; Daniel Kondziella; Raimund Helbok; Shadi Yaghi; Sharon Meropol; Thomas Wisniewski; Laura Balcer; Steven L Galetta Journal: Front Aging Neurosci Date: 2021-07-19 Impact factor: 5.750