Inflammatory Measures in Depressed Patients With and Without a History of Adverse Childhood Experiences

Bibliographic Data

ID15526229
AuthorsKarin de Punder (0000-0003-0510-9147, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, corresponding author), Sonja Entringer (0000-0002-9926-7076, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin), Christine Heim (0000-0003-4716-9316, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin), Christian Eric Deuter (0000-0001-6880-5946, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin), Christian Otte (0000-0002-4051-997X, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin), Katja Wingenfeld (0000-0001-7457-0370, Freie Universität Berlin), Linn K Kuehl (0000-0001-6871-6302, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)
Year2018
Volume9
Pages610-610
Publication date2018-11-27
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00610
PMID30538644
OpenAlexW2902647345
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited11

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex psychiatric condition with different subtypes and etiologies. Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACE) is an important risk factor for the development of MDD later in life. Evidence suggests that pro-inflammatory processes may convey this risk as both MDD and ACE have been related to increased levels of inflammation. In the present study, we aimed to disentangle the effects of MDD and ACE on inflammation levels. Methods: Markers of inflammation (plasma interleukin(IL)-6 and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentrations, white blood cell (WBC) count and a composite inflammation score (CIS) combining all three) were assessed in 23 MDD patients with ACE, 23 MDD patients without ACE, 21 healthy participants with ACE, and 21 healthy participants without ACE (mean age: 35 ± 11 (SD) years). None of the patients and participants was taking psychotropic medication. ACE was assessed with the Early Trauma Inventory (ETI) and was defined as moderate to severe exposure to sexual or physical abuse. Results: Group differences in the different inflammatory measures were observed. MDD patients with ACE showed significantly higher IL-6 concentrations ( p = 0.018), higher WBC counts ( p = 0.003) and increased general inflammation levels as indicated by the CIS ( p = 0.003) compared to healthy controls. In contrast, MDD patients without ACE displayed similar inflammation levels to the control group ( p = 0.93). Conclusion: We observed elevated inflammation in MDD patients with a history of ACE, which could indicate a subtype of "inflammatory depression". Accordingly, MDD patients with ACE might potentially benefit from anti-inflammatory therapies

Amygdala · Depression (economics · Etiology · Inflammation · Major depressive disorder · White blood cell · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Stress Responses and Cortisol · Tryptophan and brain disorders · Internal Medicine