Altered Cellular Immune Reactivity in Traumatized Women with and without Major Depressive Disorder

Alterations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis such as altered glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity and increased immune reactivity might contribute to the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD) (Pariante, 2017). Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACE) enhances the risk to develop MDD later in life and is itself associated with changes in HPA axis function (Mandelli et al., 2015; Anacker et al., 2014). Indeed, a growing body of evidence suggests a close interplay among ACE, inflammation and altered HPA axis signaling in the pathogenesis of later life mental disorders (Nusslock and Miller, 2016; Baumeister et al., 2016; Fernandez et al., 2016; et al.,).

Source: Psychoneuroendocrinology - October 28, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Julian Hellmann-Regen, Carsten Spitzer, Linn K. Kuehl, Katharina Schultebraucks, Christian Otte, Katja Wingenfeld Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research