Cytokines, Stress, and Depression

Until a few years ago, cytokines were only known to immunologists; now these molecules have burst upon neurosciences and permeated several avenues of current research. This book examines the possible role of cytokines in mental depression, based on recent clinical and experimental data, and constitutes the first attempt to make a synthesis between the exciting new developments in cytokine research and their implications for the pathophysiology of mental disorders.

Reviews current knowledge, stress response, role in antidepressent therapy, etc.

Until a few years ago, cytokines were only known to immunologists; now these molecules have burst upon neurosciences and permeated several avenues of current research. This book examines the possible role of cytokines in mental depression, based on recent clinical and experimental data, and constitutes the first attempt to make a synthesis between the exciting new developments in cytokine research and their implications for the pathophysiology of mental disorders.

Booknews

Presents recent findings on one of the most of many surprising effects of the molecules that are being discovered: that they induce most of the symptoms of depression when injected in test animals and volunteers. Among the topics are major depression and activation of the inflammatory response system, mechanisms of the behavioral effects of cytokines, a comparison of the effects of stress and of cytokines on cerebral neurotransmission, the dynamic regulation of pro- inflammatory cytokines, anhedonic and anxiogenic effects, possible evidence for an effect of antidepressant drugs on immune function, and whether a cross-sensitization between immune and non-immune stressors plays a role in the etiology of depression. The 16 papers are from an international conference in Roscoff, France, in May 1998. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)