Developmental and psychoneuroimmunological mechanisms in depression

As the development of more effective treatment options for depression is vital, we investigated the relation between infection/inflammation and depression. Thus, we performed studies using animal models of depression as well as depressive patients. We found that infection in the mouse produced brain changes in proteins regulating the gene expression. The molecules responsible for these changes may be used as a new targets for the treatment of depression. In addition, we found changes in the levels of several genes and proteins within the blood of patients suffering from depressive symptoms, which could be used for a better diagnosis of depression.