AUTHOR=Brymer Kyle J. , Romay-Tallon Raquel , Allen Josh , Caruncho Hector J. , Kalynchuk Lisa E. 

TITLE=Exploring the Potential Antidepressant Mechanisms of TNFα Antagonists

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neuroscience

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2019

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2019.00098

DOI=10.3389/fnins.2019.00098

ISSN=1662-453X

ABSTRACT=Human and animal studies suggest an intriguing relationship between the immune system and the development of depression. Peripherally produced cytokines enter the brain through activation of microglia or through a system of lymphatic vessels. Once inside the brain, prolonged elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α) can instigate a cascade of events including decreases in markers of synaptic plasticity and increases in neurodegenerative events. This is exemplified by preclinical studies, which show that peripheral administration of pro-inflammatory cytokines can elicit depression-like behavior. Importantly, this depression-like behavior can be ameliorated by anti-cytokine therapies. Work in our lab suggests that TNF-α is particularly important for the development of a depressive phenotype and that TNF-α antagonists might have promise as novel antidepressant drugs. Future research should examine rates of inflammation at baseline in depressed patients and whether anti-inflammatory agents could be included as part of the treatment regimen for depressive disorders.