TY - JOUR
T1 - Changes in inflammatory biomarkers are related to the antidepressant effects of Ayahuasca
AU - Galvão-Coelho, Nicole Leite
AU - de Menezes Galvão, Ana Cecília
AU - Nóbrega de Almeida, Raíssa
AU - Palhano-Fontes, Fernanda
AU - Campos Braga, Isaac
AU - Lobão Soares, Bruno
AU - Maia-de-Oliveira, João Paulo
AU - Perkins, Daniel
AU - Sarris, Jerome
AU - Barros de Araujo, Draulio
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - Background: Ayahuasca is a traditional Amazon brew and its potential antidepressant properties have recently been explored in scientific settings. We conducted a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of ayahuasca with treatment-resistant depression patients (n = 28) and healthy controls (n = 45). Aims: We are evaluating the blood inflammatory biomarkers: C-reactive protein and interleukin 6, as a potential consequence of ayahuasca intake and their correlation with serum cortisol and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. Blood samples were collected at pre-treatment and 48 hours after substance ingestion to assess the concentration of inflammatory biomarkers, together with administration of the Montgomery-ÃÂ
sberg Depression Rating Scale. Results: At pre-treatment, patients showed higher C-reactive protein levels than healthy controls and a significant negative correlation between C-reactive protein and serum cortisol levels was revealed (rho = –0.40, n = 14). C-reactive protein in those patients was not correlated with Montgomery-ÃÂ
sberg Depression Rating Scale scores. We observed a significant reduction of C-reactive protein levels across time in both patients and controls treated with ayahuasca, but not with placebo. Patients treated with ayahuasca showed a significant correlation (rho = + 0.57) between larger reductions of C-reactive protein and lower depressive symptoms at 48 hours after substance ingestion (Montgomery-ÃÂ
sberg Depression Rating Scale). No significant result with respect to interleukin 6 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor was found. Furthermore, these biomarkers did not predict the antidepressant response or remission rates observed. Conclusions: These findings enhance the understanding of the biological mechanisms behind the observed antidepressant effects of ayahuasca and encourage further clinical trials in adults with depression.
AB - Background: Ayahuasca is a traditional Amazon brew and its potential antidepressant properties have recently been explored in scientific settings. We conducted a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of ayahuasca with treatment-resistant depression patients (n = 28) and healthy controls (n = 45). Aims: We are evaluating the blood inflammatory biomarkers: C-reactive protein and interleukin 6, as a potential consequence of ayahuasca intake and their correlation with serum cortisol and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. Blood samples were collected at pre-treatment and 48 hours after substance ingestion to assess the concentration of inflammatory biomarkers, together with administration of the Montgomery-ÃÂ
sberg Depression Rating Scale. Results: At pre-treatment, patients showed higher C-reactive protein levels than healthy controls and a significant negative correlation between C-reactive protein and serum cortisol levels was revealed (rho = –0.40, n = 14). C-reactive protein in those patients was not correlated with Montgomery-ÃÂ
sberg Depression Rating Scale scores. We observed a significant reduction of C-reactive protein levels across time in both patients and controls treated with ayahuasca, but not with placebo. Patients treated with ayahuasca showed a significant correlation (rho = + 0.57) between larger reductions of C-reactive protein and lower depressive symptoms at 48 hours after substance ingestion (Montgomery-ÃÂ
sberg Depression Rating Scale). No significant result with respect to interleukin 6 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor was found. Furthermore, these biomarkers did not predict the antidepressant response or remission rates observed. Conclusions: These findings enhance the understanding of the biological mechanisms behind the observed antidepressant effects of ayahuasca and encourage further clinical trials in adults with depression.
KW - ayahuasca
KW - biomarkers
KW - cortisol
KW - immune system
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/1959.7/uws:57309
U2 - 10.1177/0269881120936486
DO - 10.1177/0269881120936486
M3 - Article
SN - 1461-7285
SN - 0269-8811
VL - 34
SP - 1125
EP - 1133
JO - Journal of Psychopharmacology
JF - Journal of Psychopharmacology
IS - 10
ER -