Cytokine levels in major depression are related to childhood trauma but not to recent stressors

Abstract

Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a stress-related psychiatric disorder. A subgroup of MDD patients is characterized by increased inflammatory activation. We aimed to investigate whether increased inflammation particularly occurs in MDD patients with a history of stressful early or later life experiences. Methods Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6 were determined in N = 214 MDD patients and N = 180 healthy controls (HC). Childhood trauma (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire – CTQ), adverse life events of the past 12 months (List of Threatening Experiences Questionnaire – LTE-Q), and perceived stress in the past month (Perceived Stress Scale – PS..