This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator.This protocol is designed to test the hypothesis that there is immune system activation in suicidally depressed adolescents, as reflected by higher Th1-type immunologic responses (cells and cytokines) than in non-suicidally depressed adolescents or age- and sex-matched controls. This is based on prior observations on the effect of serotonin and dopamine receptors and their dysfunction in depression and in the immune system. 20 suicide-attempt (within the past 10 days) adolescents will be recruited and compared to 20 depressed adolescents and 20 'normal' adolescents.
The first aim i s to measure a series of cytokines: IFNg, TNFa and IL-2 (Th1) vs IL-4 and IL-6. In addition, quantitation of intracellular cytokines will give an indication of Th1 or Th2 type cells in the peripheral blood following stimulation. All of the subjects will also undergo a series of standardized tests for depression. The patient groups will be as above, with exclusions for medication, infections, immunologic or hematologic disorders.
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