Faculty Opinions recommendation of Different activation patterns of proinflammatory cytokines in melancholic and non-melancholic major depression are associated with HPA axis activity.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is involved in the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric disorders. Increased HPA axis activity can be observed during chronic stress, which plays a key role in the pathophysiology of depression. Overactivity of the HPA axis occurs in major depressive disorder (MDD), leading to cognitive dysfunction and reduced mood. There is also a correlation between the HPA axis activation and gut microbiota, which has a significant impact on the development of MDD. It is believed that the gut microbiota can influence the HPA axis function through the activity of cytokines, prostaglandins, or bacterial antigens of various microbial species. The activity of the HPA axis in schizophrenia varies and depends mainly on the severity of the disease. This review summarizes the involvement of the HPA axis in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders, focusing on major depression and schizophrenia, and highlights a possible correlation between these conditions. Although many effective antidepressants are available, a large proportion of patients do not respond to initial treatment. This review also discusses new therapeutic strategies that affect the HPA axis, such as glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonists, vasopressin V1B receptor antagonists and non-psychoactive CB1 receptor agonists in depression and/or schizophrenia.

Download Full-text

HPA axis activity and cognition in major depression

Psychoneuroendocrinology ◽

10.1016/s0306-4530(00)90094-5 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. S18

Author(s):

Alan F. Schatzberg ◽

Charles DeBattista ◽

Michelle Kalchzan ◽

Joel Posener

Keyword(s):

Major Depression ◽

Hpa Axis ◽

Hpa Axis Activity

Download Full-text

Multiple reciprocal relationships between in vivo cellular immunity and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in depression

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291700026933 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 167-177 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

M. Maes ◽

H. Y. Meltzer ◽

W. Stevens ◽

P. Cosyns ◽

P. Blockx

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Major Depression ◽

Hpa Axis ◽

Reciprocal Relationships ◽

Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal ◽

Hla Dr ◽

Hpa Axis Activity ◽

Increased Activity ◽

Pituitary Adrenal Axis

SynopsisMajor depression is reportedly characterized by increased activity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and by in vivo immune activation. The present study was carried out in order to investigate the relationships between HPA-axis activity and in vivo immune function in depression. Towards this end the following parameters were measured: 24 h urinary cortisol (UC) excretion; basal and post-dexamethasone (DST) plasma cortisol, β-endorphin/β-lipotropin (βEND/βLPH) and dexamethasone concentrations; and leucocyte subsets (i.e. lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, CD4+, CD4+CD45RA+, CD4+CD45RO+, CD8+, CD8+CD57+, CD8+CD57−, HLA-DR+, CD25+ T cells, HLA-DR+, CD19+, CD20+, and CD21+ B cells) both pre-and post-DST. Dexamethasone administration (1 mg orally) induced leucocytosis, lymphocytopaenia, monocytopaenia and neutrophilia. HPA-axis non-suppressors exhibited a relative resistance to the enhancing (e.g. neutrophils) or depressant (e.g. lymphocytes, CD4+ T cells) effects of dexamethasone. There were significant correlations between UC excretion and the number of percentage of lymphocytes, monocytes, CD4+CD45RA+ and CD8+CD57− T cells (negatively) and neutrophils (positively). It is concluded that multiple and complex intertwined relationships between HPA-axis hyperactivity and systemic immune stimulation participate in the pathophysiology or pathogenesis of major depression.

Download Full-text

The Influence of HPA-Axis Activity on Aggression

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e554382012-121 ◽

2008 ◽

Author(s):

Robina Khan ◽

Katja Bertsch ◽

Ewald Naumann ◽

Menno R. Kruk ◽

Patrick Britz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hpa Axis ◽

Hpa Axis Activity

Download Full-text

Geschlechtsunterschiede in Glucocorticoidkonzentrationen und Entzündungsparametern im Zusammenhang mit Depression

Nervenheilkunde ◽

10.1055/a-1033-9899 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 39 (04) ◽

pp. 222-237

Author(s):

Lena Schneider ◽

Andreas Walther

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Major Depression ◽

Hpa Axis ◽

Web Of Science ◽

Tnf Alpha ◽

Mesh Terms

ZusammenfassungHintergrund: Frauen erkranken fast doppelt so häufig wie Männer an einer Major Depression. Eine Hyperaktivität der Hypothalamus-Hypophysen-Nebennierenrinden-Achse (HHNA) und eine chronisch niedrig-gradige Inflammation sind 2 der konsistentesten biologischen Befunde bei schweren Depressionen. Inwiefern diese Parameter für die Existenz von Geschlechtsunterschieden bei Depression eine Rolle spielen, ist noch unzureichend untersucht worden. Methoden: Es wurde eine systematische Literaturrecherche mittels der elektronischen Fachdatenbanken (PubMed, Web of Science, PsycARTICLES) durchgeführt. Die Suche umfasste alle englischsprachigen Artikel, die bis zum 29. Juni 2019 aufgenommen wurden. Als MeSH terms wurden depression, sex differences, inflammation, hpa axis, mit Zusätzen wie cortisol, crp, IL-6, TNF-alpha, dex/crh oder tsst verwendet. Ergebnisse: Insgesamt konnten 62 Primärstudien mit einem Total von 91318 Probanden (52 % Frauen) eingeschlossen werden. Basale Glucocorticoidkonzentrationen scheinen für beide Geschlechter tendenziell positiv mit dem Vorliegen oder der Schwere einer Depressionssymptomatik assoziiert zu sein. Konsistente Geschlechtsunterschiede konnten für die Cortisolreaktion auf einen Stressor sowie für Entzündungsmarker identifiziert werden. Fazit: Geschlechtsunterschiede in der Neurobiologie der Depression sind identifizierbar und geben Anlass für geschlechtsspezifische Untersuchungen der Pathophysiologie von Depressionen und deren geschlechtsspezifischer Behandlungen.

Download Full-text