HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS Psychiatric Bulletin Advances in Psychiatric Treatment All RCPsych Journals		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Related articles in BJP Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by O’BRIEN, S. M. Articles by DINAN, T. G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by O’BRIEN, S. M. Articles by DINAN, T. G.

Antidepressant therapy and C-reactive protein levels

Department of Psychiatry and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Ireland

Correspondence: Professor Ted Dinan, Department of Psychiatry, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland. Tel: +353 21 4920119; e-mail: t.dinan{at}ucc.ie

Declaration of interest T.G.D. has lectured at meetings sponsored by or acted as an advisor to all companies who market a branded SSRI.

Background Major depression is associated with activation of the inflammatory response.

Aims To examine C-reactive protein levels in depression and to determine the impact of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) therapy.

Method Atwo-part study. In study 1, which used a between-subjects design, C-reactive protein was measured in 32 patients (20 currently depressed, 12 euthymic) with a history of DSM–IV major depression, all of whom were treated with an SSRI, and in a healthy comparison group (n=20). Study 2 employed a within-subject design: C-reactive protein was measured in 20 patients with major depression both before and after SSRI treatment.

Results In study 1, C-reactive protein levels did not differ between the group with depressive disorder (either currently depressed or euthymic) treated with SSRIs and the healthy group.In study 2 the protein levels dropped significantly following treatment with antidepressant medication.

Conclusions Following SSRI treatment for major depression there is a significant drop in C-reactive protein concentrations whether or not the depression resolves. These findings indicate that antidepress-ants induce an anti-inflammatory response independent of antidepressant action.

Related articles in BJP:

Highlights of this issue

SUKHWINDER S. SHERGILL
BJP 2006 188: 401-a17. [Full Text]  

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. A. Kendall-Tackett Inflammation, Cardiovascular Disease, and Metabolic Syndrome as Sequelae of Violence Against Women: The Role of Depression, Hostility, and Sleep Disturbance Trauma Violence Abuse, April 1, 2007; 8(2): 117 - 126. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Are Antidepressants Anti-Inflammatory Agents? Journal Watch Psychiatry, June 21, 2006; 2006(621): 8 - 8. [Full Text]