TNF-α Increase in a Cohort of Depressive Patients

Figure 2

Potential time course of TNF-α levels with regard to the onset of depressive symptoms and medication. This hypothetical model could help to explain variations of TNF-α levels and contradictory findings in the literature as well as the differences observed between our two cohorts. As described in the discussion, TNF-α levels could slowly rise at the onset of depressive symptoms in order to compensate for neuronal disturbances and therefore show higher levels in this period compared to baseline. During recovery of depressed patients, TNF-α levels could decrease again and could even be reduced below baseline due to antidepressant medication. The different types of columns indicate two different potential studies (study X/oblique-striped columns vs. study Y/cross-striped columns) with two measurement time points each (T1 and T2). Our PTU-data would be best presented by the measurement time points indicated by study X. PDC-data of T2 would be located as indicated by the dotted line next to study X, T2. Y relates to other studies in the literature.