Cytokine-Induced Transcription in Depressed Inpatients Undergoing Psychotherapy

Cytokine-Induced Transcription in Depressed Inpatients Undergoing Psychotherapy

The goal of this observational study is to measure the levels of cytokine-induced transcription factor activation in a cohort of depressed inpatients undergoing psychotherapy. The study aims to answer the following main questions:

• Do psychological traits (i.e.: social inhibition, negative affectivity, ...) affect the activation of immunomodulatory transcription factors (STAT3, NFkB) in depressed patients?
• Are subjects with these psychological traits affected differently by psychotherapeutic intervention?

Study subjects are assessed for their psychological and behavioral traits and receive psychotherapeutic care over several weeks during hospital treatment. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells are isolated from the study subjects, and activation of transcription factors is measured by flow cytometry.

Study subjects are assessed for their psychological and behavioral traits and receive psychotherapeutic care over several weeks during hospital treatment. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells are isolated from the study subjects, and activation of transcription factors is measured by flow cytometry.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of current depression

Exclusion Criteria:

• inadequate knowledge of the German language
• unable to give informed consent
• severe psychiatric comorbidities, such as drug abuse and psychotic diseases
• deemed critically unstable by their treating physician