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Inflammatory biomarkers are elevated in major depression and are associated with adverse outcomes; concurrently, serotonin and norepinephrine differentially affect inflammatory processes. These investigators asked whether baseline serum levels of the inflammatory biomarker C-reactive protein (CRP) predict differences in therapeutic response to various antidepressant classes. Previously associated with depression, CRP has a stable diurnal cycle, is not influenced by meals, and is commonly measured in routine medical practice.
The researchers analyzed a subset of data from a multisite treatment study on 241 depressed patients with baseline CRP values (mean age, 41; women, 63%; history of ≥2 depression episodes, 68%). Patients were randomized t…