title: Antidepressant drugs and cytokines in mood disorders.
abstract: This article reviews recent developments in cytokine research that pertain to pharmacological treatment of mood disorders such as antidepressants and lithium. We review the possible involvement of cytokines in mood disorders and their role in the therapeutic effects of antidepressant drugs. Growing evidence suggests that specific cytokines signal the brain to generate neurochemical, neuroimmune, neuroendocrine and behavior changes. An imbalance of cytokines within the central nervous system (CNS), or even systemically, may play a role in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. Modulation of these cytokines by chronic antidepressant treatment may result in restored balance. However, the effect of antidepressants on cytokines is still unclear both in clinical and preclinical research due to limited data. Further research is needed to clarify the involvement of cytokines in mood disorders. Understanding this relationship may lead to rational, therapeutic improvements in antidepressant and mood stabilizing drugs.
authors.affiliation: anishida@kure-nh.go.jp
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.forename: Kazue
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hisaoka
authors.forename: Hidenobu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zensho
authors.forename: Yousuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Uchitomi
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morinobu
authors.forename: Shigeto
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamawaki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects; D008094:Lithium / Q000494:pharmacology; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D008094:Lithium