Autoantibodies and depression: evidence for a causal link?

[helvella]

We see a lot of people here with, either currently or in the past, depression. It is often suggested and believed that inappropriate thyroid hormone levels can cause depression. This might well be true - but this paper suggests that elevated antibodies might be a cause.

Mind, give current attitudes towards antibody testing, it might make next to no difference to anyone's treatment.

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2014 Mar;40:62-79. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.01.008. Epub 2014 Jan 27.

Autoantibodies and depression: evidence for a causal link?

Iseme RA1, McEvoy M2, Kelly B3, Agnew L4, Attia J5, Walker FR6.

Author information

1Centre for Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Medicine & Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: [e-mail].

2Centre for Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Medicine & Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia; Level 3, Hunter Medical Research Institute Building, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia. Electronic address: [e-mail].

3Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; 5010, Level 5, McAuley Building, Mater Hospital, Edith Street, Waratah, NSW 2298, Australia. Electronic address: [e-mail].

4School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia; McClymont Building (W34) 353, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia. Electronic address: [e-mail].

5Centre for Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Medicine & Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia; Department of General Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia; 3014, Hunter Medical Research Institute Building, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia. Electronic address: [e-mail].

6Laboratory of Affective Neuroscience, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; University of Newcastle, Medical Sciences MS413, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: [e-mail].

Abstract

Depression is a leading contributor to the global burden of diseases. Despite advances in research, challenges still exist in managing this disorder. Sufferers of autoimmune diseases are often observed to suffer from depression more often than healthy individuals, an association that cannot be completely accounted for by the impact of the disease on the individual. An association between autoimmunity and depressive symptoms also appears to exist in populations with subclinical symptoms. Moreover, researchers have successfully developed murine models illustrating the ability of autoantibodies to induce depressive-like symptoms. This paper will provide an overview of the association between autoantibodies and occurrence of depressive symptoms. Though current evidence appears to support a role for autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of depression, the majority of studies have examined this relationship cross-sectionally, therefore failing to establish a temporal association. Nonetheless, this novel theory meshes with older and newer neurochemical theories of depression. A better understanding of the immuno-pathogenesis underlying depression presents opportunities for more targeted treatment approaches and more timely and appropriate measures of detection.

Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

KEYWORDS:

Anti 5-HT autoantibodies; Anti N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor autoantibodies; Anti endothelial cell autoantibodies; Anti ganglioside autoantibodies; Anti-P ribosomal autoantibodies; Anti-ds DNA autoantibodies; Anti-gliadin autoantibodies; Anti-nuclear autoantibodies; Anti-phospholipid autoantibodies; Anti-thyroid autoantibodies; Autoantibodies; Autoimmunity; Depression; Rheumatoid factor; Tissue transglutaminase autoantibodies

PMID:

24480318

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Rod

[Spareribs]

And with Vitamin D lowering TR antibodies (your recent post) an association between Vit D and Depression?

PS who's the lady with the belly button on the phone, having her shoes polished?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Spareribs]

Who is on the ball tonight?

Who knows what the picture will look like in the future - but I like your thinking.

[Spareribs in reply to helvella]

I have a vitamin D radar and am solar powered

[shaws Administrator]

Interesting paper.

[susymac]

I had very high(off the scale antibodies) and I had severe depression and mild psychosis before self treating with NDT's. I now, with correct treament, no longer have even the slightest sign that I ever had depression let alone the other problems yet my antibodies are still off the scale. If the antibodies were the cause of the mental illnesses I had surely I would still have them with the high antibodies I still have?

not disputing anything btw, its more a rhetorical question. I do have vit D deficiency too, which didnt respond very well to treatment, possibly a parathryoid issue but couldnt get it checked (smacking head of wall at GP's), which could well have something to do with the high antibodies, but still no mental illnesses anymore