Neuroinflammation in Major Depressive Disorder: A Review of PET Imaging Studies Examining the 18-kDa Translocator Protein.
Journal
Journal of affective disorders
ISSN: 1573-2517
Titre abrégé: J Affect Disord
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 7906073
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 09 2021
01 09 2021
Historique:
received:
02
11
2020
revised:
27
05
2021
accepted:
01
06
2021
pubmed:
22
6
2021
medline:
6
8
2021
entrez:
21
6
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a severe psychiatric disorder whose pathological mechanisms are largely unknown. In the field of immuno-psychiatry, several evidences suggested a prominent role of inflammation in MDD not only in peripheral immune system but also in the brain. To date, brain inflammation is traceable in vivo with Positron Emission Tomography (PET), through the quantification of the expression of 18-kda Translocator Protein (TSPO) by active microglia. In this context, this review aimed to summarize the results of all in vivo PET imaging studies that evaluated microglia activation in MDD. A bibliographic search in PubMed up to June 2020 was performed. A total of 9 studies that used first and second generation TSPO radiotracers met our inclusion criteria. Overall the results suggested the presence of TSPO upregulation in MDD, especially in anterior cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortex, hippocampal formation and insula. Notably, from a therapeutic point of view, results suggested that the symptoms amelioration, caused by both antidepressant medication and cognitive behavioural therapy, may be accompanied by reduced inflammatory status in the brain. Finally, a positive effect of the anti-inflammatory treatment with a cyclooxygenase inhibitor has also been observed. The heterogeneity across the studies in experimental designs, sample selection and methods limited the studies comparison. These findings supported the presence of neuroinflammation in MDD, suggesting that microgliosis may be an important pathophysiological mechanism that merits further investigation as a potential target for novel treatment strategies.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a severe psychiatric disorder whose pathological mechanisms are largely unknown. In the field of immuno-psychiatry, several evidences suggested a prominent role of inflammation in MDD not only in peripheral immune system but also in the brain. To date, brain inflammation is traceable in vivo with Positron Emission Tomography (PET), through the quantification of the expression of 18-kda Translocator Protein (TSPO) by active microglia. In this context, this review aimed to summarize the results of all in vivo PET imaging studies that evaluated microglia activation in MDD.
METHODS
A bibliographic search in PubMed up to June 2020 was performed. A total of 9 studies that used first and second generation TSPO radiotracers met our inclusion criteria.
RESULTS
Overall the results suggested the presence of TSPO upregulation in MDD, especially in anterior cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortex, hippocampal formation and insula. Notably, from a therapeutic point of view, results suggested that the symptoms amelioration, caused by both antidepressant medication and cognitive behavioural therapy, may be accompanied by reduced inflammatory status in the brain. Finally, a positive effect of the anti-inflammatory treatment with a cyclooxygenase inhibitor has also been observed.
LIMITATIONS
The heterogeneity across the studies in experimental designs, sample selection and methods limited the studies comparison.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings supported the presence of neuroinflammation in MDD, suggesting that microgliosis may be an important pathophysiological mechanism that merits further investigation as a potential target for novel treatment strategies.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34153835
pii: S0165-0327(21)00533-4
doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.06.001
pii:
doi:
Substances chimiques
Receptors, GABA
0
TSPO protein, human
0
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
642-651Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.