Does neuroimmune dysfunction mediate seasonal mood changes in winter depression?

• Published in: Medical hypotheses Vol. 63; no. 4; pp. 567 - 573
• Main Authors: Lam, Raymond W., Song, Cai, Yatham, Lakshmi N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 2004
• Subjects: Animals; Humans; Melatonin - immunology; Models, Biological; Neurogenic Inflammation - complications; Neurogenic Inflammation - immunology; Neuroimmunomodulation - immunology; Photoperiod; Seasonal Affective Disorder - complications; Seasonal Affective Disorder - immunology; Seasons; Statistics as Topic

Background: Animal studies have demonstrated seasonal changes in immune function mediated by nocturnal melatonin duration as a biological signal for photoperiod. Recent research has highlighted the potential role of neuroimmune dysfunction in depressive disorders. The etiology of winter depression (...