Earlier age of onset is associated with a pro-inflammatory state in major depressive disorder

• Published in: Psychiatry research Vol. 314; p. 114601
• Main Authors: Anzolin, Ana Paula, Feiten, Jacson Gabriel, Bristot, Giovana, Possebon, Gabriela Maria Pereira, Fleck, Marcelo Pio de Almeida, Caldieraro, Marco Antonio, Kauer-Sant’Anna, Marcia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.08.2022
• Subjects: Age of onset; Cytokines; Depression subtypes; Inflammation; Interleukin-1 beta; Major depressive disorder; Tumor necrosis factor-α; Age of onset; Cytokines; Inflammation; Tumor necrosis factor-α; Major depressive disorder; Depression subtypes; Interleukin-1 beta
• ISSN: 0165-1781; 1872-7123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114601

•Early onset MDD may be a particular subset of patients with a particular inflammatory profile.•Higher TNFα and IL-1β levels are associated with the early-onset of the MDD.•Changes in inflammatory balance may be implicated in the severity of MDD and maybe progression. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common condition that affects the general population over a wide range of ages, regardless of gender and social background. Early-onset of MDD in adulthood, between ages of 18 and 30 years, is associated with worse outcomes and increased years of disability. Stress load and physical health have been associated with age of onset in MDD. We aim to investigate whether early onset MDD might be associated with changes in systemic inflammatory markers. We examined levels of following cytokines: IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNFα in 234 patients with MDD. Higher serum levels of TNFα and IL-1β are associated with the early onset of the disorder in patients with MDD. IL-6 levels were also higher in the early onset group and IL-10 levels were higher in the late onset group, but with no significant difference. Changes in the anti-inflammatory/pro-inflammatory balance have been described in mood disorders and may be implicated in its severity and pattern of progression. Our findings reinforce that higher serum levels of IL-1β and TNFα may be associated with the earlier onset subgroup of MDD patients. Future research that target inflammatory markers of immune modulation may be, key in the search for novel preventative therapeutics.