Scientists investigate the effect of anti-inflammatories in depression | Inland

“Current treatment methods for major depression appear to be insufficient,” the researchers say. “Up to 60 percent of patients do not improve after two treatments with first-line antidepressants.” Recent studies show that medications used to treat infections may also be beneficial in treating the immune-related form of depression.

A dysregulated immune system can be both a hallmark and a cause of major depression. A third of all patients with depression have a very active immune system and that requires a specific approach. They are known to respond poorly to antidepressant treatment.

The research will focus on a specific subtype of depression: people with elevated levels of inflammation in the blood. Depression-with-inflammation is surprisingly common. Thirty percent of depressed patients have elevated inflammation levels. In Flanders this concerns about 100,000 people.

The study will include approximately 240 patients with major depression, patients who have failed previous conventional treatments. The ‘INSTA-MD’ project is a joint study of the University of Antwerp and the University Psychiatric Center Duffel in collaboration with the KU Leuven, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the UMC Amsterdam. The project will receive approximately 1.2 million euros in support from the Fund for Scientific Research (FWO).

Those who want to participate can visit the project website INSTA-MD. The results of the INSTA-MD study will have to wait three to four years.

ALSO WATCH. VTM – “Important to discuss mental health”

READ ALSO. Access to psychological care more difficult for women and people in poverty

“There are no fewer than 142 different definitions for burnout complaints”: stress professor explains why, according to him, burnout does not exist

You may be less ugly than you think: ‘body dysmorphia’ is on the rise. Experts: “Instagram is making it worse”