Dissociative symptoms reflect levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha in patients with unipolar depression

Abstract

Recent evidence indicates that the nature of intereactions between the nervous system and immune system is important in the pathogenesis of depression. Specifically, alterations in pro-inflammatory cytokines have been related to the development of several psychological and neurobiological manifestations of depressive disorder, as well as to stres exposure.

A number of findings point to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) as one of the central factors in these processes. Accordingly, in the present study, we test the hypothesis that specific influences of chronic stressors related to traumatic stress and dissociation are related to alterations in TNF-α levels.

Keywords

• depression
• dissociation
• TNF-alpha
• traumatic stress