Inflammation, cognitive dysfunction, and suicidal ideation among patients with major depression
- 23 August 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in CNS Spectrums
- Vol. 27 (6), 724-730
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s1092852921000729
Abstract
BackgroundDysregulated proinflammatory cytokines have been shown to be associated with suicidal behavior. Cognitive deficits in working memory and inhibitory control have been demonstrated in depressed patients and people with suicidal ideation (SI). However, the association between proinflammatory cytokines, SI, and cognitive deficits in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) remains unclear.MethodsA total of 77 patients with MDD and age-/sex-matched 60 healthy individuals were recruited. MDD patients were divided into two groups: with SI (n = 36) and no SI (n = 41). SI was defined by a score of ≥2 in item 3 of the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including soluble interleukin-6 receptor, soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor type 1, and C-reactive protein (CRP), were measured, and cognitive function was assessed using 2-back task and Go/No-Go task.ResultsPatients with SI had higher levels of CRP than those without SI and controls (P = .007). CRP was positively associated with SI (β = 0.21, P = .037), independent of cognitive function and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, SI was associated with cognitive deficits in working memory and inhibitory control after adjusting for confounding factors (P < .05).ConclusionOur findings suggest that higher levels of serum CRP and deficits in working memory and inhibitory control may be associated with higher SI among patients with MDD.Keywords
Funding Information
- Taipei Veterans General Hospital (V103E10-001, V104E10-002, V105E10-001-MY2-1, V105A)
- Yen Tjing Ling Medical Foundation (CI-109-21, CI-109-22)
This publication has 49 references indexed in Scilit:
- TNF-alpha −308G>A polymorphism is associated with suicide attempts in major depressive disorderJournal of Affective Disorders, 2013
- Venlafaxine inhibits the upregulation of plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the Chinese patients with major depressive disorder: A prospective longitudinal studyPsychoneuroendocrinology, 2013
- Interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and interleukin-10 after antidepressant treatment in people with depression: a meta-analysisPsychological Medicine, 2012
- The pro- and anti-inflammatory properties of the cytokine interleukin-6Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Cell Research, 2011
- Inflammation in the avian spleen: timing is everythingBMC Molecular Biology, 2010
- A Meta-Analysis of Cytokines in Major DepressionBiological Psychiatry, 2010
- Mental disorders, comorbidity and suicidal behavior: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey ReplicationMolecular Psychiatry, 2009
- Associations of Depression With C-Reactive Protein, IL-1, and IL-6: A Meta-AnalysisPsychosomatic Medicine, 2009
- Cytokines sing the blues: inflammation and the pathogenesis of depressionTrends in Immunology, 2006
- TNF-R1 Signaling: A Beautiful PathwayScience, 2002