According to scientists, inflammation is a natural process by which the body fights infection and can also be the main feature of depression. Inflammation activates the immune system in a biological response that allows the body to fight harmful effects such as infections, injuries, and toxins. However, it can also play an important role in regulating behaviour and transitioning the brain into “sickness mode.”
Researchers in the United Kingdom have found that people with depression have higher levels of protein in the body associated with inflammation than those without it. Experts said the same was true when considering factors such as unhealthy or harmful behavior and socio-economic background.
They figured that their findings, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, could pave the way for new targeted treatments for mental health disorders.
“Our extensive data analysis is the only explanation for the relationship between depression and inflammation, removing the socioeconomic background, disease, unhealthy habits, and genetic predisposition to immune dysfunction. This removal process shows that there are important biological processes that support the increase and involvement of depression and inflammation. It is possible to review this process and gain more insight into the role of depression in the development of this large-scale mental illness. May pave the way for testing new treatments”, said Carmine Pariant, professor of the National Institute of Health Maudsley Biomedical Research Center.
Inflammation is one of the body’s important defenses against attacks, but if left unchecked and unregulated, it can cause a lot of damage. Here, the research team confirmed the presence of an inflammatory biomarker in the blood called C-reactive protein (CRP).
CRP levels were found in approximately 31% of individuals who reported experiencing major depressive disorder (MDD) at any point in time (a percentage consistent with other studies), found at higher levels compared to those who did not.
Researchers also calculated the polygene risk score for study participants. This is a measure of the likelihood that someone will develop a condition based solely on genetics. The polygene risk score for people with MDD experience was closely related to CRP levels, but managing BMI and smoking did not make that connection.
In other words, the genetic relevance of depression seems to depend primarily on the obesity index and whether a person smokes. However, the research team wrote, “The higher the genetic burden of depression, the higher the CRP level.”
This association is similar in intensity to that seen between inflammation and three autoimmune diseases like biliary cirrhosis, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis.
The next step for researchers is to discover the association between the presence of fire and depression. Explain that “unknown or unmeasured psychosocial and clinical disruptors” such as mothers’ depression developing in the womb and unhealthy diets explain the results they produce. I admit Inflammation and depression were associated with some studies before, but the association remains a mystery. What has not yet been discovered can induce both inflammation and depression, and the risk of others.
David Curtis, professor emeritus at the University of London Institute of Genetics, commented on the findings and the association between depression and disease in the body, including measures of inflammation, is well known, but inflammation causes depression.
“There are several reasons involved. For example, certain diseases or harmful conditions can increase the risk of depression and lead to increased inflammation. This study cannot draw solid conclusions about such a relationship. I doubt whether inflammation plays an important role in causing depression, we don’t know if this study is very helpful in understanding depression,” he said.
Professor Curtis also said that there was no evidence that it could be useful in the treatment of anti-inflammatory, depression.
Not only is there no proven effect on depression, he says, but although these drugs have dangerous side effects, antidepressants are safe and effective. “Anti-inflammatory drugs are believed to be responsible for thousands of deaths each year in the United States.”