Linking childhood trauma and cytokine levels in depressed adolescents. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rengasamy, Manivel; Marsland, Anna; McClain, Lora; Kovats, Tessa; Walko, Thomas; Pan, Lisa; Price, Rebecca B.
• Is Part Of: Psychoneuroendocrinology. Volume 133(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Childhood trauma -- Cytokine -- Adolescent -- Depression -- TNF alpha; Psychoneuroendocrinology -- Periodicals; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Neuropsychoendocrinologie -- Périodiques; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105398
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4530

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Evidence supports raised circulating levels of inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNFα), among clinically depressed adults, although preliminary findings in adolescents are mixed. Independently, meta-analyses identify correlations between childhood trauma and elevated cytokine levels in adulthood. Here, we examine the possible role of individual differences in exposure to childhood trauma in contributing to variability in cytokine levels in depressed adolescents. Methods: 52 depressed adolescents and 20 healthy adolescents completed measures of childhood trauma and provided blood for the assessment of plasma IL-6 and TNFα. Cross-sectional associations of childhood trauma and cytokine measures were assessed in both depressed and healthy adolescents, along with exploratory analysis of childhood trauma subtypes. Longitudinal relationships between childhood trauma and cytokine measures were also studied in an exploratory fashion within a subset of depressed participants ( n = 36). Results: Higher childhood trauma (particularly emotional abuse) was positively associated with TNFα in depressed adolescents. Childhood trauma was not linked to longitudinal changes in cytokine levels. Discussion: In depressed adolescents, childhood trauma may relate to higher levels of the proinflammatory cytokine TNFα and contribute to heterogeneity in cytokine elevation among depressed adolescents. Such findings may ultimately help guide more effective individualized treatments for adolescents with depression. Highlights: Higher childhood trauma was linked with higher levels of TNFα in depressed teens. Of trauma subtypes, only emotional abuse was associated with higher levels of TNFα. Childhood trauma was not associated with longitudinal changes in cytokine levels.