University of Bristol

Academic Institute

Hannah J JonesProfessor Golam KhandakerProfessor Stan ZammitDr Jon HeronProfessor Caroline ReltonDr Carol JoinsonDr Becky MarsProfessor Robert Yolken

B3769

Depression is common, devastating, disabling, and a major risk factor for suicide. About a third of individuals with depression are unresponsive to antidepressant treatment, suggesting that other mechanisms are involved in the onset and progression of the disorder. Emerging evidence implicates inflammation as a risk factor for depression and suicidal behaviour. However, little is known about the role inflammation plays in causing or worsening these mental health outcomes. As such, we aim to investigate whether inflammation represents a relevant and therapeutically targetable mechanism for depression and suicidal behaviour in young people.

This research will improve our understanding of the role of early-life stressors in priming patterns of inflammation during childhood and adolescence, as well as the impact of these patterns on later mental-health outcomes. The longitudinal inflammatory patterns derived by this study may serve as a useful resource for other researchers interested in inflammation levels during the life-course. More specifically, findings from this research will inform whether inflammation could be a target for treatment, prediction and prevention of depression, self-harm and suicidal behaviour in young people. Findings could be used to direct future work investigating characteristics of inflammation-related depression and clinical trials of immuno-modulating therapies for depression and suicidal behaviour.

04/05/2021