title: The role of the neuroendocrine and immune systems in the pathogenesis of depression.
abstract: Development of depression is associated with the body's response to prolonged stress, which adversely affects the functioning of the nervous, endocrine and immune systems. Prolonged stress can lead to the development of a so-called allostatic load and reduction of concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. These changes result in impairment of neurogenesis and synaptic remodeling process. This article illustrates the involvement of key mediators of allostasis such as the neuroendocrine and immune systems, in the pathogenesis of depression. The literature concerning the contribution of the neuroendocrine and immune systems to depression incidence was reviewed. Development of depression is associated with disturbance of the body's allostasis and inflammatory activation of the immune system. It leads to a chronic increase in the concentration of cortisol and proinflammatory cytokines, which results in an allostatic load. This load leads to neurodegeneration, eventually causing irreversible cognitive impairment and permanent disability. Determination of the concentration of chemokines and their receptors is an important indicator of activation of the immune and neuroendocrine systems. The activity of these systems reflects the severity of the disease and provides important information for effective antidepressant treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland. Electronic address: e.oglodek@wp.pl.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ogłodek
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szota
authors.affiliation: Piekary Medical Centre, Department of General Surgery, Municipal Hospital in Piekary Śląskie, Poland.
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Just
authors.affiliation: Health Care Centre Euro-Med Bytom, Poland.
authors.forename: Danuta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moś
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland.
authors.forename: Aleksander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Araszkiewicz
mesh_terms: D052636:Allostasis / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D016207:Cytokines
keywords: Allostasis; Depression; Immune system; Neuroendocrine system