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system was autonomous, but research has shown that the Central Nervous
System (CNS) receives messages from the immune system and vice versa.
(Ziemssen & Kern, 2003; Yirmya, 2000) These two systems engage in
communication with each other for one vital reason: to maintain
homeostasis. This communication is enabled through the use of various
chemical messengers like neuroendocrine peptides, various hormones, and
cytokines. (Ziemssen & Kern, 2003).
and social interaction (Dantzer, 2001; Dantzer et al., 2008; Maes et al.,
2005). Cytokines are believed to carry out these effects on mood and
behavior through distinct mechanisms, but this explanation needs more
investigation (Kiecolt-Glaser et al., Dantzer et al., 2008; Ziemssen & Kern,
2003)
altered moods (Farzi, 2015; Kiecolt-Glaser et al., 2002; Raison et al., 2006).
Evidence has shown that the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines can
be stimulated by stress and stressful experiences (Kiecolt-Glaser et al.,
2002). Stress and distress-related immune dysregulation is also a main
mechanism behind negative emotions and anxiety (Kiecolt-Glaser et al.,
2002; Raison et al., 2006).
Gap
There is significant evidence that there is a relationship between the
immune system and the nervous system and that cytokines levels and
immune activation can affect cognition, behavior, and mood bringing about
depression in patients with autoimmune diseases. There has been light
discussion on possible treatments to depression that can arise from studying
these relationships; however very little research has been put forth to
discover these new treatments and therefore merits further research and
discussion. Also, there has been no discussion on if the antidepressants used
today reduce the amount of cytokines in patients. If new treatments for
battling depression were attained, then some of the problems facing
antidepressant use today, like an increased risk for suicide, increased
duration of chronic depression, agitation, and anxiety could possibly be
resolved or significantly reduced.
Project Proposal
Objective: The objective of this study, if it was actually carried out, would
be to determine the cytokine levels in clinically depressed patients and to
determine if current antidepressants can reduce the amount of cytokines
found in the patients.
Participants: The participants of the study would be comprised of 200
people: 100 clinically depressed patients between the ages of 18-65 who are
currently not being medicated for depression and 100 volunteers to act as
the control group between the ages of 18-65 who are not clinically depressed
and are not currently taking any other medications.
Procedure: First, the 100 patients with depression would be examined to
determine the extent of their depression. Then all 200 participants would
have a sample of blood extracted to determine the number of cytokines
present. Once this data was recorded, all participants would be given a
dosage of a common antidepressant drug (any common antidepressant
could suffice as long as every participant received the same antidepressant)
as recommended on the label for a month. At the end of the month, each
participant would have a blood sample taken again and analyzed to
determine the number of cytokines present.
Results and Discussion: If there was a significant difference in the amount
of cytokines in clinically depressed patients compared to people without
depression (where the people with depression show higher numbers of
cytokines than people without depression) and if, between the patients with
depression, patients with chronic depression showed higher amounts of
cytokines than patients that have had depression for shorter periods of time,
then that would show that cytokines can influence the occurrence and
duration of clinical depression. Also if the data showed that the
antidepressant drugs didnt significantly reduce the amount of cytokines,
then more research would need to be conducted to come up with an
antidepressant or other treatment that could reduce the number of cytokines