Biological psychiatry
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Biological psychiatry · May 2006
Comparative StudyTNFalpha signaling in depression and anxiety: behavioral consequences of individual receptor targeting.
Increased serum levels of TNFalpha and other pro-inflammatory cytokines have been found in patients with major depression and several other psychiatric conditions. In rodents, these cytokines produce symptoms commonly referred to as "sickness behavior." Some of these, including reduced feeding and decreased social and exploratory behavior, are reminiscent of those seen in depressed patients. Interpretation of these effects is complicated by the malaise caused by acute injections of pro-inflammatory cytokines, however. Thus, it is unclear whether cytokines are involved in the etiology of depressive symptoms. ⋯ These results are consistent with the hypothesis that TNFalpha can induce depression-like symptoms even in the absence of malaise and demonstrate that both receptor subtypes can be involved in this response.