Mouse study suggests that blocking the action of interleukin-6 may reduce symptoms of depression. (2010)
From the article:
Activation of the immune system caused mice to learn to run less on wheels in their cages – an activity they normally like. The mice resumed their normal activity when the action of interleukin-6, an immune hormone that carries “sickness” signals to the brain, was blocked.
“Our findings suggest that blocking the action of interleukin-6 might reduce depression symptoms, like fatigue or loss of interest in pleasurable activities, in people who are depressed and who have elevated levels of interleukin-6,” said Simon Sydserff, PhD, a senior research scientist at BrainCells Inc., who conducted the research while with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.
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Scientists previously observed that some people became depressed due to an immune response to illness or stress. Elevated levels of immune hormones like interleukin-6 have been found in some depressed patients who are otherwise healthy.