MK4MDD

Genetic/Epigenetic Locus Search Cross Data Search

Study Report

Reference

Citation	Elomaa AP, 2012 PubMed
Full Info	Elomaa AP, Niskanen L, Herzig KH, Viinamaki H, Hintikka J, Koivumaa-Honkanen H et al. Elevated levels of serum IL-5 are associated with an increased likelihood of major depressive disorder. BMC psychiatry 2012; 12: 2.

Study

Hypothesis or Background	Inflammatory mediators in both the peripheral circulation and central nervous system (CNS) are dysregulated in major depressive disorder (MDD). Nevertheless, relatively little is known about the role of the T-helper (Th)-2 effector cytokines interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 in MDD.
Sample Information	116 individuals (MDD, n = 58; controls, n = 58)
Method Detail	We examined the serum levels of these cytokines and a Th-1 comparison cytokine, interferon (IFN)-gamma, in 116 individuals (MDD, n = 58; controls, n = 58).
Method Keywords	blood analysis
Result	In our basic multivariate model controlling for the effects of potential confounders on the associations between MDD and the examined cytokines, each 1-unit increase in the serum IL-5 level increased the likelihood of belonging to the MDD group by 76% (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.03-2.99, p = 0.04; model covariates: age, gender, marital status, daily smoking and alcohol use). The likelihood further increased in models additionally controlling for the effects of the use of antidepressants and NSAIDS, and a diagnosis of asthma. No such associations were detected with regard to IL-13 (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.96-1.22, p = 0.22) or IFN-gamma (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.99-1.05, p = 0.23).
Conclusions	Elevated levels of IL-5, which uses the neural plasticity-related RAS GTPase-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Ras-ERK) pathway to mediate its actions in the central nervous system (CNS), could be one of the factors underlying the depression-related changes in CNS plasticity.

Relationships reported by Elomaa AP, 2012