title: The role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and other cytokines in depression: what dermatologists should know.
abstract: Recent studies have suggested that inflammatory responses may play an important role in the pathophysiology of depression. In fact, depressed individuals have been found to have higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, especially tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6. This appears to be independent of any pre-existing chronic inflammatory disorders. In this article, various studies correlating increased levels of cytokines to depression are reviewed. As much as 60% of individuals with psoriasis also suffer from clinical depression. TNF-α antagonists, frequently used in the treatment of psoriasis, may be helpful in directly reducing depressive symptoms for patients with psoriasis and other chronic inflammatory conditions.
authors: Medical College of Georgia, School of Medicine, Augusta, Georgia 94118, USA. swatikannan@gmail.com
authors: Swati
authors: S
authors: Kannan
authors: Misha M
authors: MM
authors: Heller
authors: Eric S
authors: ES
authors: Lee
authors: John Ym
authors: JY
authors: Koo
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000502:physiology*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors
chemical_list: D000068879:Adalimumab; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors