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The Promise and Limitations of Anti-Inflammatory Agents for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

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Inflammation-Associated Depression: Evidence, Mechanisms and Implications

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences ((CTBN,volume 31))

Abstract

This review provides a critical perspective on recent meta-analyses suggesting that several anti-inflammatory modalities, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), omega-3 fatty acids, and cytokine antagonist, possess generalizable antidepressant properties. By examining confounds and limitations in the available literature it is suggested that current data suggest that only a sub-group of individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) have evidence of increased inflammatory biomarkers and it is in these individuals that anti-inflammatory agents show promise for reducing depressive symptoms. The treatment implications of this cautionary perspective are discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1300 Linden Drive, Room 4174, Madison, WI, 53705, USA

    Charles L. Raison

  2. Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA

    Charles L. Raison

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  1. Charles L. Raison
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Correspondence to Charles L. Raison .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Symptom Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

    Robert Dantzer

  2. Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, INRA, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France

    Lucile Capuron

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Raison, C.L. (2016). The Promise and Limitations of Anti-Inflammatory Agents for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder. In: Dantzer, R., Capuron, L. (eds) Inflammation-Associated Depression: Evidence, Mechanisms and Implications. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, vol 31. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2016_26

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