We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Raised levels of plasma interleukin-1β in major and postviral depression.
- Authors
Owen, B. M.; Eccleston, D.; Ferrier, I. N.; Young, H.
- Abstract
Objective: Interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) is released as part of the acute phase immune response and can directly stimulate the release of corticotrophin‐releasing hormone and thus induce hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis hyperactivity. Major depression has been shown to be accompanied by both an acute phase immune response, including raised IL‐1β production and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis hyper‐activity. In this study the possible role of IL‐1β in major depression and postviral depression was investigated. Method: Plasma IL‐1β levels were measured in four groups; patients suffering from postviral depression (n=17), patients with major depression (n=20), subjects who were postviral and euthymic (n=12) and normal controls (n=20). Results: IL‐1β serum concentrations were significantly elevated in both groups of depressed patients compared to controls. The serum concentrations of IL‐1β were higher in the postviral group than in the major depression group; this difference was not significant. Conclusion: These data confirm previous suggestions of elevated IL‐1β levels in major depression and postviral depression. IL‐1β is known to induce depressive symptoms as well as sickness behaviour and may contribute to the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis hyperactivity found in mood disorders.
- Subjects
INTERLEUKIN-1; MENTAL depression
- Publication
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 2001, Vol 103, Issue 3, p226
- ISSN
0001-690X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1034/j.1600-0447.2001.00162.x