Interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α in children with major depressive disorder or dysthymia

Background: Immune function is altered in adult depressed patients. The aim of our study was to see whether or not cytokine secretion is impaired at a very young phase of development of depressive disorders, possibly being pathogenetically involved in their course. Methods: Basal plasma concentrations of interleukin-1β (Il-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured radioimmunologically in 22 drug-free children–adolescents, 11 with recurrent major depressive disorders (MDD) and 11 with dysthymia (DYS), and in 11 psychophysically healthy age–sex matched controls. Depression was monitored using the Poznanski Rating Scale and Anxiety with the Reynold Rating Scale. Results: Il-1β levels were not significantly different in MDD from controls and significantly higher than normal in DYS subjects. TNF-α levels were not significantly different in MDD patients from controls and significantly lower than normal in DYS patients. Cytokine concentrations were correlated with anxious and depressive symptomatology in MDD but not in DYS patients. Conclusions: There is a cytokine pathology in depressive disorders of obscure etiopathogenetical significance.