The macrophage theory of depression

doi:10.1016/0306-9877(91)90272-Z

Medical Hypotheses

Volume 35, Issue 4, August 1991, Pages 298-306

https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-9877(91)90272-Z Get rights and content

Abstract

Excessive secretion of macrophage monokines is proposed as the cause of depression. Monokines when given to volunteers can produce the symptoms necessary for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition Revised (DSM-III-R) diagnosis of major depressive episode. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) can provoke the hormone abnormalities linked with depression. This theory provides an explanation for the significant association of depression with coronary heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke and other diseases where macrophage activation occurs. The 3:1 female/male incidence of depression ratio is accounted for by estrogen's ability to activate macrophages. The extraordinary low rate of depression in Japan is consistent with the suppressive effect of eicosapentanoic acid on macrophages. Fish oil is proposed as a prophylaxis against depression and omega-6 fat as a promoter. Infection, tissue damage, respiratory allergies and antigens found in food are some of the possible causes of macrophage activation triggering depression.

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View full text

The macrophage theory of depression

Abstract

Lancet

Sem Arthritis Rheum

Lancet

Compre Psychiatry

Am Heart J

Brain Behav Immunol

Am J Clin Nutr

Lancet

Lancet

J Pediatr

Clin Immunol Immunopath

Clin Immunol Immunopath

Am J Clin Nutr

Am J Clin Nutr

Lancet

Mood Disorders

Mood Disorders

Increasing rates of depression

J Am Med Ass

24 Hour profiles of adrenocorticotropin, cortisol and growth hormone in major depressive ilness: effect of antidepressant treatment

J Clin Endocrinol Metab

Elevated concentrations of CSF corticotropin-releasing factor-like immunoreactivity in depressed patients

Science

Diurnal hypersecretion of growth hormone in depression

J Clin Endocrinol Metab

Recurrent depression is associated with a persistent reduction in sleep-related growth hormone secretion

Arch Gen Psychiatry

The 24-hour profile of plasma prolactin in men with major endogenous depressive illness

Arch Gen Psychiatry

Pathogenic roles of neuroimmunologic mediators

Immunol Allergy Clin N Am

Secretory products of macrophages

J Clin Invest

Behavioral assessment of patients treated with alpha-interferon

Acta Psychiatr Scand

Behavioral assessment of patients treated with alpha-interferon

Acta Psychiatr Saand

Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor administered as a 24-hour intravenous infusion. A Phase 1 and Pharmacologic study

J Natl Cancer Inst

Rheumatoid arthritis

N Engl J Med

Release of lymphokines after infection with Epstein Barr virus in vitro

J Immunol

The use of epidemiology for risk factor research in schizophrenia: an overview and methodologic critique

Depression in rheumatoid disease

Ann Rheum Dis

Validity of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale in arthritis populations

Arthritis Rheum

Influence on treatment of change of climate with women with rheumatoid arthritis: A controlled prospective study of psychological, medical and social effects

Scand J Rheumatol

Advances in psychiatric epidemiology: rates and risks for major depression

Am J Public Health