Inflammation and Depression: A Public Health Perspective

Alexander L Chu; Matthew Hickman; Nicholas Steel; Peter B Jones; George Davey Smith; Golam M Khandaker

doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2021.04.015

Inflammation and Depression: A Public Health Perspective

Brain Behav Immun. 2021 Jul:95:1-3. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.04.015. Epub 2021 Apr 18.

Authors

Alexander L Chu¹, Matthew Hickman², Nicholas Steel³, Peter B Jones⁴, George Davey Smith⁵, Golam M Khandaker⁶

Affiliations

¹ Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA. Electronic address: alexanderchu248@utexas.edu.
² Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
³ Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
⁴ Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Herchel Smith Building, Robinson Way, Cambridge, UK; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Elizabeth House, Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
⁵ Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
⁶ Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Herchel Smith Building, Robinson Way, Cambridge, UK; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Elizabeth House, Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.

PMID: 33882327
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.04.015

Abstract

The multifaceted role of low-grade systemic inflammation in depression and physical illnesses like cardiovascular disease highlights complex interactions between the body, brain and mind. While current research on inflammation and depression has largely focused on exploring possible disease mechanisms and therapeutic potential, we seek to broaden the current discussion by introducing a public health perspective. In this Viewpoint, we propose that inflammation and its contributing sources could represent important targets for public health strategies aimed at improving both mental and physical health. We discuss potential universal, selective and indicated primary prevention strategies for inflammation-related depression. We consider potential approaches to secondary prevention, including scope for anti-inflammatory treatment and CRP testing for guiding treatment allocation and prognosis. Preventive strategies discussed here could also be relevant for other inflammation-mediated mental health conditions.

Keywords: Depression; Immunopsychiatry; Inflammation; Mental Health; Prevention; Public Health.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Depression*
Humans
Inflammation
Mental Disorders*
Prognosis
Public Health

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding